Forty people have died on SA roads this year — map shows where they have happened

There have been 40 deaths on South Australian roads so far this year, according to shocking new data. OUR MAP SHOWS WHERE THEY HAPPENED

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Deaths on Adelaide roads this year have nearly doubled the five-year average — and fatalities in regional SA has also increased, disturbing new figures reveal.

Forty people have lost their lives since January 1, with the latest Transport department statistics showing an alarming rise in both motorcyclist and pedestrian fatalities.

The carnage has prompted The Advertiser, in partnership with SA Police, to launch a road safety campaign called Enough is Enough, aimed at cutting the toll by the end of this year.

Figures revealed 18 people died in the greater Adelaide region compared with the five year average of 10 between 2014 and 2018.

Two truck drivers died in this crash involving B-double trucks on the Pt Augusta Highway on April 19 … forty people have lost their lives on SA roads since January 1. Picture: AAP Image/Brenton Edwards

Fatalities on regional roads currently stands at 22, up from 15 in the five-year average.

Nine motorbike riders and seven pedestrians have died this year.

Traffic Safety Branch officer-in-charge Superintendent Bob Gray said motorists should bear the responsibility for their actions on the road.

“Speed has been a contributing factor, distraction has been a contributing factor and there were people who weren’t wearing seatbelts at the time of the collision,” he said.

“Every one of those motorcycle collisions are avoidable.”

Supt Gray said the road toll is “not just a number”.

“We cannot keep seeing people lose their lives on our roads — or being the victim of a serious injury,” he said.

“It’s very simple. We ask people not to drink and drug drive, don’t speed, wear your seatbelts, drive to the conditions, don’t be distracted and don’t be a dangerous road user.”

Nineteen people aged between 30 and 59 years old and 11 people aged 70 and over have died on SA roads.

RAA road safety senior manager Charles Mountain said the number of older drivers killed was concerning.

“It does highlight that everyone needs to be careful on the roads, no one group can be complacent,” he said.

He said a combination of legislation and driver education is starting to reduce fatal and serious injuries among young drivers.

“The graduated licensing schemes have been in place for a couple of years now … ensuring that new drivers have a better level of driver education,” he said.

Overall serious injuries are down, with 128 this year, 190 over the same period last year, 228 in 2017 and 244 in 2016.

“The reduction in serious injuries are not reflected in the fatalities,” Mr Mountain said.