Over ten years SA country roads have hosted millions of home and away journeys, but also 575 for those who didn’t make it

Hundreds of drivers have died on South Australian roads over the past decade, but some routes have proved far deadlier than others.

The beginning of National Road Safety Week has prompted a warning for motorists about where to be most vigilant on South Australian country roads.

A staggering 575 deaths have been recorded on some of the least travelled roads in the state, a combination of higher speed, long distances, distraction and tired drivers contributing to the toll.

RAA is marking National Road Safety Week, which begins today, by encouraging all road users to avoid at least three of these four factors if they travel long distances.

RAA spokesman Charles Mountain said he had analysed road trauma data to reveal the worst locations for deaths since 2010, which include the most popular holiday destinations in the state.

“Yorke Peninsula combined with the Mid North had the highest number of road fatalities of the state’s regions in the past decade, with the tragic loss of 129 lives,’’ he said.

Investigators, Police, SES and Tow truck workers at the crash scene of motor vehicle accident on the Yorke Peninsula. Picture: Emma Brasier

“The Murray Mallee was the next worst, with 110 lives lost, followed by the Limestone Coast which recorded 86 fatalities during the same period.”

Mr Mountain, said some of the common high profile accidents caused by distracted drivers were so horrific, including multiple fatalities in young families, that a survey of RAA members showed many were more concerned about distraction than drunk or drug drivers.

“An RAA survey of more than 560 members has found 42 per cent rated distracted drivers a major road safety concern, second only to the 43 per cent who nominated drink and drug drivers,’’ he said.

He said RAA’s recent road safety campaign, Drive in the Moment, revealed driver distraction had contributed to almost half the lives lost and serious injuries on SA roads in the past five years.

“Regular police crackdowns on mobile phone use have also highlighted the number of motorists engaged in distracted driving,’’ Mr Mountain said.

Mr Mountain said there were many distractions on regional roads, such as looking at scenery or waiting for a turn-off. These also included mobile phones, passengers, especially young children, and GPS units.

Mr Mountain said mobile phones were allowing drivers to have more social media and entertainment options.

“You need to be fully concentrated on the task at hand when driving, because at 110km/h, just a two-second glance at your phone, stereo or crying child means you’ll travel around 60m blind to what’s around you,’’ he said.

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