South Australia Police are sounding the alarm after a disturbing spike in reckless road behaviour, with multiple high-range drink and speeding drivers caught in recent weeks. Police are urging all road users to take responsibility before more lives are put at risk.
In the past week alone, SAPOL officers have intercepted 11 drink drivers, many with blood alcohol readings well into the high range:
- A 39-year-old man at Allenby Gardens recorded a staggering .356, more than seven times the legal limit.
- A 63-year-old man at Mount George blew .260.
- A 42-year-old man at Prospect recorded .218.
- A 40-year-old man in Whyalla was caught at .147, with a child in the car.
- A 24-year-old woman in Enfield was driving on three wheels after colliding with a traffic light, recording .116.
These are not isolated incidents. They are symptoms of a deeper problem, one that demands urgent attention.
Speeding continues to be another deadly contributor. Among the most alarming:
- A 53-year-old man was caught doing 168km/h in a 110 zone at Lake Gillis.
- A 17-year-old boy in Salisbury was clocked at 95km/h in a 50 zone, then returned ten minutes later to do 82km/h in the same spot, resulting in $4,652 in fines and an instant loss of licence.
- A 21-year-old man in Hampstead Gardens was caught doing 106km/h in a 60 zone.
These behaviours are not just illegal, they are lethal.
So far in 2025, 54 lives have been lost on South Australian roads. In August alone, eight lives have been claimed, six in the past ten days. Whilst the investigations into the recent fatals are still under investigation, and the cause of those crashes aren't yet known, what we do know is the Fatal Five, dangerous road use, distraction, speeding, not wearing seatbelts, and drug or drink driving continue to be the leading causes of death in all fatal crashes:
- Dangerous Road Users: 24%
- Distraction: 22%
- Speeding: 20%
- Seatbelts: 15%
- Drug Driving: 11%
- Drink Driving: 6%
Superintendent Johnson reinforced SAPOL's commitment:
"We will maintain a strong and visible presence on our roads. Several operations are planned across both metropolitan and regional areas. We will continue to target drink driving, speeding, distraction, and other dangerous behaviours. But we need the community to stand with us."
This is a call to action. We urge every South Australian to speak up, to intervene, and to drive responsibly. If you see someone about to drive under the influence, stop them. If you're tempted to speed, think of the lives at stake. If you've lost someone to road trauma, share their story.
Drink Drivers
16 August Mt Gambier 32-yo male .184 ILOL/Imp
16 August Port Pirie 57-yo male .172 ILOL/Imp
16 August Port Pirie 60-yo male .203 ILOL/Imp
17 August Koorong 50-yo male .170 ILOL/Imp
17 August Port Pirie 20-yo male .114 ILOL/Imp
17 August Port Pirie 18-yo man .111 ILOL/Imp (unlicensed)
18 August Prospect 42-yo male .218 ILOL/Imp
18 August Whyalla 40-yo male .147 ILOL/Imp (with child in car)
20 August Allenby Gardens 39-yo male .356 ILOL/Imp
20 August Mount George 63-yo male .260 ILOL/Imp
21 August Enfield 24-yo female .116 ILOL/Imp (on three wheels)
Excessive Speed
14 August Truro 23-yo male 163/110 (.030 PCA) $2059 fine 9 demerits, impound)
16 August Lake Gillis 53-yo male 168/110 (ILOL + expiation)
18 August Salisbury 17-yo boy 95/50 then same spot 10 minutes later 82/50 ($4652 fines + ILOL)
18 August Dry Creek 19-yo male 143/80 (reported excessive speed, ILOL and Impound)
18 August Dry Creek 45-yo male 162/90 (ILOL + expiation)
21 August Hampstead Gardens 21-yo male 106/60 ($2059 fine and ILOL)
