SA road safety: 1 million speedsters fined more than $400m

More than one million speeding fines have been issued in the past five years, equating to more than $400m in penalties. The alarming figures have prompted a renewed warning.

More than $400m in speeding fines to more than a million drivers have been issued in the past five years in South Australia, alarming new figures have revealed.

Speeding was also identified as a factor in the road crash deaths of 112 people and 430 serious injury collisions for the same period.

The alarming figures, released to RAA, have prompted renewed warnings to motorists to play it safe on the road.

RAA senior traffic engineer Matt Vertudaches said motorists risked more than a fine and demerit points when speeding above the limit.

“Inappropriate speed continues to be a major contributing factor to serious and fatal crashes,” Mr Vertudaches said.

“Even small increases in speed mean you will travel a longer distance before you can react and bring your vehicle to a stop if something unexpected occurs on the road.”

More than 202,300 motorists were fined for speeding last year, a jump of 3548 on the year before and the highest number since 2020.

South Australia recorded its worst road toll in 2023 in 13 years, with 117 fatalities from 109 crashes.

It was also the worst year for serious injuries with 856 people from 730 crashes.

The number of speeding offences detected by roadside police officers in 2023 was also the highest since 2013, with 46,307 offences recorded.

South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens . Picture: Tara Miko

By comparison, there were 96,438 fines detected by mobile cameras, and 59,613 by fixed cameras.

Figures also revealed there had been a 26 per cent increase in the number of drivers caught on mobile cameras between 2020-2-23 when compared to the previous four-year period to 2019.

There was also a 36 per cent reduction in fines from fixed cameras.

“But alarmingly, 14,624 drivers were detected speeding at least 20km/hr over the limit last year, showing many drivers are still willing to risk a serious fine and put others in danger by exceeding the speed limit,” Mr Vertudaches said.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said the more than a million speeding fines in the past five years “probably shows the importance of having the capability” to detect drivers breaking the road rules.

“Mobile speed cameras, fixed speed red light cameras play an important role in deterring people from breaking the road rules and shows there are some people who are slow to pick up the message,” he said.

Originally published as SA road safety: 1 million speedsters fined more than $400m