Motorists urged to ring in the new year safely as SA’s road toll approaches worst in over a decade

Police have issued a final plea this year for drivers to take care over the holidays as the state’s road toll approaches its worst level in more than a decade.

Police are again pleading with motorists to do the right thing as the state’s road toll approaches its worst level in more than a decade.

Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said 2023 had been “absolutely heartbreaking for families, friends, communities and workmates of the 113 people who have died on SA roads this year.”

“Overwhelmingly, the actions and behaviour of the driver of a vehicle, or rider of a motorcycle, has resulted in them killing themselves, a passenger, cyclist or pedestrian,” Mr Parrott said.

“Surviving ‘at fault’ drivers can and do face jail time, along with a lifetime of guilt and regret.

“These inexcusable actions and behaviours include risk taking that most people rightly consider too dangerous, and don’t engage in.”

He said the impact of the road toll on first responders could not be understated.

The state’s 2023 road toll is approaching its worst level in more than a decade. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dean Martin

In 2019, 114 lives were lost on SA roads, while the state’s road toll reached 100 in 2017 and 108 in 2014.

The last time more lives were lost on the state’s roads than this year was in 2010 – when the road toll reached 118.

Mr Parrott said 850 people had suffered serious injuries from crashes, which left many survivors with “lifelong injuries that may prevent them from working, playing sport, driving or even walking”.

He said despite police efforts to educate people on, and enforce, road safety rules, and warn against bad behaviour, “we still see this risk taking behaviour far too often”.

“Every life lost on SA roads is preventable and easy to achieve,” Mr Parrott said.

“Don’t speed. Don’t be a selfish prick and drink (or drug) drive. Wear your seatbelt. Don’t drive dangerously by taking unnecessary risks on our roads. Don’t allow yourself to be distracted while driving. It can be that simple!”

Ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations, Mr Parrott urged motorists to drive safely, stick to the road rules, show courtesy and respect to other drives, plan long trips and avoid getting angry, frustrated or impatient on the roads.

Assistant Commissioner Ian Parrott said 2023 had been a “heartbreaking” year for those affected by road trauma. Picture: Russell Millard

Police Minister Joe Szakacs urged South Australians to prioritise road safety in 2024.

“This year has been a real shocker on our roads,” Mr Szakacs said.

“There are very few of us in the community who haven’t been touched in some way by road trauma this year.

“No one has been untouched or unmoved by the stories that impact and the stories that come from road trauma, whether it be the tragic loss of life, whether it be families who grieve, whether it be the trauma that our first responders suffer through every single time there is a fatality or trauma on our roads.”

Mr Szakacs said he wanted to see South Australians celebrate the new year safely.

“The ability for us to make better decisions on the roads that impact outcomes is really real,” Mr Szakacs said.

Originally published as Motorists urged to ring in the new year safely as SA’s road toll approaches worst in over a decade