RAA reveals SA’s top 10 riskiest roads

Fixing the roads rated the state’s riskiest by thousands of drivers won’t be cheap, the motoring lobby says, but they think they’ve found a way. See the list of the most dangerous.

Main South Rd between Aldinga and Sellicks Beach has been recognised as the state’s most dangerous road in the 2021 RAA Risky Roads survey.

The survey was completed by more than 2100 motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, and gave them the opportunity to nominate a road or intersection they believe needs repairs or major upgrades.

It is used to lobby the state government for more funding, but this is not be considered until the state budget the following year.

RAA spokesman Charles Mountain said the survey would also be used to lobby political parties for increased funding commitments ahead of the March 2022 state election.

“Regular road maintenance is as important as new infrastructure to reduce the risk to road users’ safety,’’ he said.

Main South Road, Sellicks Beach.

Metro roads: The RAA has released the top ten worst roads in SA voted by you. Picture: Supplied.

“This is why RAA believes a four-year maintenance fund must be established with a minimum value of $600m to address the outstanding maintenance backlog across the network, and we are calling on the winner of the state election in March to commit to this funding.

“RAA welcomed the investment on the network since the last survey in 2019 was held, in particular the more than $300m committed to infrastructure upgrades and maintenance on risky roads nominated that year.

“The recent investment in road maintenance through additional federal and state stimulus funding programs has resulted in an unprecedented and welcomed level of activity across the network.”

The government says it is working its way through a $700m road maintenance backlog it inherited after the 2018 state election.

Of major cause for concern on virtually all of the nominated SA roads were; uneven surfaces, crumbling road edges, potholes and a lack of overtaking opportunities.

Mr Mountain said potholes, crumbling edges and rough surfaces were the top three complaints about Main South Rd between Aldinga and Sellicks Beach and the section was also rated the second riskiest in the 2019 survey.

“Importantly these issues are already being addressed by roadworks,’’ he said.

Regional roads: The RAA has released the top ten worst roads in SA voted by you. Picture: Supplied.

SA’s Top 10 Riskiest Roads as voted by drivers

1. Main South Rd (Aldinga to Sellicks Beach)
2. Southern Ports Highway (Beachport to Millicent)
3. Horrocks Highway (Gawler to Rhynie)
4. Main Road (Coromandel Valley to Chandlers Hill)
5. Upper Yorke Road (Arthurton to Kulpara)
6. Main North Road (Gepps Cross to Gawler)
7. Victor Harbor Road
8. Princes Highway (Tailem Bend to Mount Gambier)
9. Glynburn Road (Payneham Rd to Magill Rd)
10. Owen Road (Mid North)

SA’s Top 5 Riskiest Intersections
1. Curtis and Heaslip roads – Angle Vale
2. Dequetteville Terrace & Fullarton Road (Britannia Roundabout)– Adelaide
3. Hindmarsh Tiers & Victor Harbor roads – Hindmarsh Valley
4. Aldinga Beach & Main South roads - Aldinga
5. Main & Shepherds Hill roads (Blackwood Roundabout) - Blackwood
Source: RAA

Mr Mountain said the Risky Roads survey helped the RAA understand the issues associated with SA’s roads and intersections from a user perspective and advocate for improvements.

“There have been 1171 casualty crashes resulting in 27 deaths and 1564 injuries on the ten riskiest roads between 2016 and 2020, which highlights that upgrades and repairs are needed,” Mr Mountain said.

“Capturing feedback from people using the roads is critical to helping RAA understand issues with the regional and metropolitan road network and work with authorities to improve road performance and safety for all road users.

“RAA will continue advocating for much-needed improvements to these roads – with some already earmarked for repairs or major upgrades.”