The most dangerous Adelaide suburbs for road crashes
Thousands of people have been killed or injured on Adelaide roads in the past decade. See the top suburban casualty crash hot spots.
Police & Courts
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More than 7900 people have been killed or injured over the past decade in Adelaide’s 10 most dangerous suburbs for road crashes, new figures show.
The revelation comes as a survey by South Australia’s peak motoring body finds road users are now almost as fearful of distracted drivers as those under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Authorities are highlighting the devastating effect of trauma on victims and their families and urging vigilance as part of National Road Safety Week, which starts on Sunday.
State Government data analysed by the RAA shows Adelaide CBD recorded the highest number of people killed or injured in road crashes over the past decade.
There were 2639 casualties – nine fatalities, 204 serious injuries and 2426 minor injuries – including 465 pedestrians between 2010 and 2019.
RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain said vehicle and pedestrian traffic volumes contributed to the rate of road trauma across suburban Adelaide.
“In locations like the Adelaide CBD, this includes many pedestrians as well as employees driving to work,’’ Mr Mountain said.
“Major thoroughfares such as Main North Road carry a large amount of passenger and commercial vehicles, which can also increase the chance of collisions.’’
Morphett Vale (680 road crash casualties) and Salisbury East (492) had the equal second highest number of lives lost with four each during the 10-year period.
An RAA road safety survey of 560 members found 42 per cent rated distracted motorists a major concern and second only to drink and drug drivers at 43 per cent.
Mr Mountain said inattention was a major safety hazard and contributor to road trauma because there were numerous distractions to potentially affect a driver.
These included mobile phones, car stereos, passengers – especially young children – and GPS units. Mr Mountain urged drivers to fully concentrate while behind the wheel.
“Even at 50km/h just a two second glance at your phone, stereo or crying child means you’ll travel about 28m blind to what’s around you,” he said.
Mr Mountain said mobile phones provided more social media and entertainment options, such as checking notifications, using a GPS app, changing a song or watching a video.
“These phones are extremely distracting, which is why it’s so important no to be tempted to use them while driving,’’ he said.
“Regular police crackdowns on mobile phone use have highlighted the number of motorists engaged in distracted driving, which is also reflected in RAA’s latest road safety survey.”
National Road Safety Week is an annual initiative created by the Safer Australian Roads and Highways Group to honour those who have been killed or injured on Australia’s roads.
It highlights the effect of road trauma and campaigns to reduce the number of crashes resulting from unsafe roads and dangerous driving.
Iconic Adelaide buildings, including Adelaide Oval, Entertainment Centre, Convention Centre and Sky City Casino, will be lit up in yellow on Sunday night to mark the start of the week.
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