Road toll shows big improvement
SOUTH Australia is on track for its lowest number of road deaths on record and authorities are urging motorists to reduce the toll even further.
SOUTH Australia is on track for its lowest number of road deaths on record and authorities are urging motorists to reduce the toll even further.
The state's road toll of 87 is 13 fewer than the 100 people who died at the same time last year and 11 deaths down on the record annual low of 99, in 2008.
The number of serious injuries from crashes is also set to break new ground, with 762 recorded by late last night, down from 931 last year - the only time it has been below 1000 since records began.
Motor Accident Commission chief executive Jerome Maguire said South Australians' New Year's resolution should be to reduce the toll next year. "No one can guarantee what's going to happen in terms of the road toll next year but one thing MAC will do is to continue to tackle risky behaviours which lead to death and injury on our roads," Mr Maguire said.
Fewer motorcyclists (12 compared with 20), pedestrians (9-17) and vehicle passengers (15-23) have died this year than last but vehicle driver deaths rose (48 against 40).
But Road Safety Minister Jennifer Rankine said families of road victims remember they lost a son, daughter, mother, father, best friend or a neighbour, regardless of the low toll.
Traffic Support Branch Superintendent Bob Fauser said police would not tolerate dangerous driving.
"Excuses won't comfort a grieving family if you've killed or hurt someone on the road because of your poor choices," he said.
RAA senior road safety manager Charles Mountain said it was a positive to be on track for a record low number of fatalities and road users held the key to maintaining a downward trend.
"We would like to see the trend continue so that this is not a one-off," he said.
"Motorists play a big part in this by ensuring they drive to the conditions and avoid distractions."
National alcohol-health association Drinkwise chairperson Trish Worth has asked motorists to plan not to consume alcohol drinks if they are driving.
"There's not one simple rule about how many drinks are safe (taking) into account weight, age and gender, so just don't risk it," Ms Worth said.
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FATALITIES SINCE 2002
2002 - 154
2003 - 156
2004 - 139
2005 - 147
2006 - 117
2007 - 125
2008 - 99
2009 - 119
2010 - 118
2011 - 103
2012 - 87 (to 8pm last night)
