Motorists cross into SA unchecked but police warn many will be pulled over

Cars are streaming over SA’s borders and many of them are going unchecked. But SA Police say it was never their plan to pull over every vehicle.

Motorists are driving over South Australia’s border without police checks – but officers say they never planned to stop every car under the move to reopen for interstate travel.

A police spokeswoman said officers would still be at the airport checking people’s Covid-19 vaccination status and whether they have completed the government’s EntryCheck SA application process.

The spokeswoman said at state borders, “not every car is going to be stopped, but people should expect that they may be stopped as they come into South Australia”.

Police at the border check point at Pinnaroo. Picture: Tait Schmaal

SA Road Transport Association executive officer Steve Shearer said during an industry briefing ahead of the border opening to travellers from NSW, Victoria and the ACT, officers made it clear they would not be stopping every car.

Mr Shearer said police had advised that when there were significant traffic volumes, “rather than cause safety risks, they’ll keep the traffic moving”.

It follows a truck driver dying in a fiery crash on February 11, that witnesses described as a “bottleneck disaster waiting to happen”.

A man died after a firey three truck crash near the South Australian border at Serviceton, Picture: Channel 7

Hundreds of vehicles and trucks had lined up to enter SA on Western Highway, Serviceton, after a snap closure announcement.

The SA truck driver, 46, died after he crashed into the back of a stationary truck waiting in the queue. That truck then crashed into a B-double in front of it and all three trucks caught on fire.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens launched a Commissioner’s inquiry following the incident – the highest level of investigation – to examine how it was managing border checkpoints.

A police spokesman said the inquiry was ongoing and there was no timeframe for completion.

“Once the review is completed a determination will be made on what information will be made public,” he said.

The Advertiser is also seeking an update on Victoria Police’s investigation of the incident.

“The safety risks of having great long queues build up is actually greater than the risk of Covid generally, at the point that we’re at with vaccination levels,” Mr Shearer said.

“It’s just a matter of a sensible balance.”

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