Call for bike ban on Adelaide’s Main South Road after horrific crash and a terrifying near miss caught on video

A horrific crash and a terrifying near miss caught on video have sparked calls for the government to step in on a major road south of Adelaide. Have your say.

The driver of a vehicle nearly struck by a truck – which pulled into oncoming traffic to avoid a 4WD slowing for a pedal trike – says cyclists must be banned from the notoriously dangerous stretch of road where the incident happened.

Dashcam footage from last Sunday shows the terrifying close call on Main South Rd, between Myponga and Yankalilla – the same stretch where two women were killed in a horrific smash just 400m away at Wattle Flat the next day.

The footage shows a truck carrying live sheep braking hard as it moves onto the wrong side of the road.

November 4: Major Crash investigators on the scene of a serious accident near Wattle Flat along the Fleurieu Peninsula. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

A map showing how close Monday's crash is to Sunday's near miss.

The driver of the vehicle almost hit by the oncoming truck on Sunday – who wished to remain anonymous – said it was “one of the scariest moments” of his life.

“I never expected something so terrifying – seeing that truck coming at me was surreal,” he said.

“I braked as hard as I could and I was frozen with fear as the truck came straight towards me – I didn’t know if it could stop in time.

“The government and local council should seriously consider banning cyclists from this dangerous road.”

A horrifying near-miss involving a truck, a cyclist and a 4WD was captured on dashcam video on Main South Rd at Wattle Flat. Picture: Supplied

Transport Tom Koutsantonis said cyclists would still be allowed to use Main South Rd but urged them to “ride to the conditions”. Picture: Kelly Barnes

Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis ruled that out, saying there were “no nearby alternative cycling routes”.

Mr Koutsantonis said it was “incumbent on all road users to obey the road rules and drive or ride to the conditions”.

SA Road Transport Association executive officer Steve Shearer said many truck drivers had consistently expressed concerns over having to drive along Main South Rd.

“Drivers who regularly use that route know that they have to be vigilant because they know there are enough people on bikes for there to be a real chance of one suddenly appearing in front of them,” Mr Shearer said.

Yankalilla Mayor Darryl Houston said the road conditions had “never” been brought to his attention, but emphasised they were unsuited to the increased traffic brought about by population growth across the southern suburbs and increased tourism – along with significant use by heavy freight vehicles.

Regardless, he said upgrades would be difficult. “There’s probably no chance to have a cyclist lane along Main South Rd ... there’s just no room for it – that’s the trouble.”

Last Monday, a truck and three vehicles collided just 400m away on the same stretch of road at Wattle Flat.

Two women from Queensland, who were rear passengers in a silver Ford, were both killed.

Originally published as Call for bike ban on Adelaide’s Main South Road after horrific crash and a terrifying near miss caught on video