Secure that load: fines for ignoring basic road rules surges

They should be obvious and easy to follow, but the number of South Australians caught breaking some of our most basic road rules is on the rise.

Motorists racked up fines worth almost $350,000 breaking some of South Australia’s most basic road rules last year – and police are catching increasing numbers in the act.

Drivers fell foul of laws including failing to stop at a stop sign or line, travelling in the wrong direction along a one-way road and carrying an unsecured or overhanging load.

SA Police figures analysed by the RAA show 4370 road users were detected failing to observe six of the state’s rudimentary traffic rules last year, compared with 3276 in 2019.

RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain said the incidents could be attributed to a combination of inattention, laziness and recklessness.

“Failing to stop at a stop sign or stop line, for example, is pretty fundamental,” Mr Mountain said of the 3655 motorists fined or cautioned for the offence during 2020.

“Sometimes people will stop where they can see down the road they’re entering and not where the stop line is.

“If you come out too far before you stop your vehicle or don’t stop at all you compromise the safety of those approaching from both directions.”

The number of drivers caught carrying an unsecured or overhanging load surged from 10 in 2019 to 328 last year.

“We’ve all seen examples of people trying to get that lounge suite home on a vehicle without making a second trip,” Mr Mountain said.

“But those situations pose great risks in the event that something happens because the load can shift and cause a lot of damage in the circumstances.”

Mr Mountain said “the dangers speak for themselves” of travelling in the wrong direction along a one-way road – an offence committed by 138 drivers last year.

The figures also show police pinched 143 motorists for having a body part hanging outside a moving vehicle, while 23 cyclists were busted leading an animal while riding a bike.

“While people think it might be nice to have a bit of a breeze on your arm or hand the risk of having any part of your body outside the vehicle compromises safety,” Mr Mountain said.

“Most importantly if your arm is out the window it is not available to play its part in controlling the vehicle so it means you are driving one-handed.”

Dozens of SA drivers have racked up thousands of dollars in fines for carrying an unsecured or overhanging load. Picture: Crap Adelaide Drivers Facebook

Mr Mountain said leading a pet while riding “might seem like some cheap mobility without having to pedal” but was fraught with danger if the animal made a sudden movement.

“It can pull you off the bike and potentially into the path of another vehicle,” he said.

There were 83 drivers caught in each of the past two years overtaking on the left-hand side.

Fines revenue generated from the six offences increased 20 per cent over the past year from $286,291 to $342,376 despite police issuing cautions in about four out of every five cases.