South Australia’s 10-year road safety strategy aims to reduce lives lost by more than half

An ambitious new plan has been unveiled that aims to drastically reduce the number of lives lost on SA roads. But do you think it will work? See the details.

Newer vehicles, “forgiving roads” and tailored safety programs for vulnerable demographics are among initiatives aimed at more than halving South Australian road deaths in a decade.

The Advertiser can reveal the state government’s new 10-year road safety strategy proposes an ambitious target of fewer than 47 lives lost a year by 2031. The three-year average is 96.

Road Safety Minister Vincent Tarzia said road tragedies should not be accepted as inevitable. Picture: Matt Loxton

It also wants to reduce the number of serious injuries by at least 30 per cent from an average of 708 between 2018 and 2020 to fewer than 515 in the next 10 years.

Road Safety Minister Vincent Tarzia said the targets were the first steps towards achieving a vision of zero lives lost on SA roads by 2050.

“Horrific crashes claim lives and cause irreversible heartache. The agony is soul-destroying for the families, friends and colleagues of victims. The hurt never fades,” Mr Tarzia said.

“Those lucky enough to survive road trauma are never the same again. The physical pain and mental agony is unbearable.

“We cannot accept that these tragedies are inevitable.

“Our goals are ambitious but they must be to put an end to preventable tragedies on our roads.”

*Data for the year-to-date

The Advertiser last week revealed that a huge spike in middle-aged and elderly motorist fatalities had led to the second deadliest start to a year on SA roads in a decade.

There have been 55 lives lost so far this year, compared with 50 at the same time in 2020.

The draft SA road safety strategy to 2031 – released for public consultation on Thursday night – addresses nine key themes including:

DEVELOPING a road safety program for road users aged 70-plus in an ageing population.

FOCUSING on regional road safety, including deaths of drivers and riders aged 16 to 24.

DELIVERING safety initiatives with Aboriginal communities to reduce over-representation.

IMPROVING safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and growing public transport patronage.

INCREASING the use and purchase of newer vehicles with greater safety features.

The draft strategy says developing a community and workplace road safety culture – alongside improved infrastructure and transport options – can help SA achieve zero lives lost by 2050.

It says the design of “forgiving roads” will include measures that consider unintentional user errors and mistakes, and incorporate features that reduce the likelihood and severity of a crash.

“Individual road users, state and local government, regulatory partners, non-government organisations and the private sector all need to play a role in the long-term aspiration to dramatically reduce harm on our roads,” the strategy says.

An average of 96 lives have been lost on SA roads over the past three years. Picture: Mike Burton

“Past efforts have been successful in reducing road trauma and offsetting increases in the amount of travel and time road users spend on the road network.

“However, the challenge is now to focus on looking after our future generations and address the residual harm that remains.”

The strategy is underpinned by a “safe system” approach, which recognises that “people will always make mistakes and may have road crashes – but those crashes should not result in death or serious injury”.

Drivers and passengers comprised 62 per cent of lives lost and serious injuries between 2016 and 2020, while the remaining 38 per cent were motorcyclists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Mr Tarzia said urged all South Australians to provide feedback on the road safety strategy.

“Your opinions, views and input will save lives and prevent serious injuries on our roads. I cannot be any clearer – we need all South Australians to help make our roads safer,” he said.

“Whether you drive, ride, walk or are a passenger, your feedback is crucial in helping us create a safer South Australia for every road user.”

Public consultation remains open until 5pm on September 1. Read the draft SA road safety strategy to 2031 and submit feedback at yoursay.sa.gov.au/road-safety