Increases in traffic detections in almost every category over the October long weekend in comparison to the June long weekend has disappointed South Australia Police.
Operation Safe Long Weekend ran from Friday 30 September - Monday 3 October, during which time, one man lost his life on South Australian roads and six people sustained serious injuries.
17,625 alcotests were conducted with 42 positive results during the period of this operation.
796 drug tests were conducted with 15 drivers returning a positive result.
The previous Safe Long Weekend Operation in June 2022 saw 14,748 alcotests and 1292 drug tests conducted.
819 speed offences were detected during the period of this operation.
The previous Safe Long Weekend Operation in June 2022 saw 458 speed offences detected.
48 seatbelt offences were detected as compared to 33 seatbelt offences during the last long weekend.
47 mobile phone distraction offences were detected during the period of this operation, compared to 28 mobile phone offences detected in the last long weekend operation.
80 vehicles were impounded during the period of this operation. These impounds related to a range of offences including drink driving and licensing offences.
The previous Safe Long Weekend Operation in June 2022 saw 61 vehicles impounded.
Superintendent Bob Gray, Officer in Charge Traffic Services Branch said that the increase in detections over the weekend in comparison to the last long weekend shows that the message is still not getting through to people.
"It is disappointing to see the traffic results over the long weekend which could have very easily resulted in more than the one life lost and six serious injuries that sadly took place on the roads," Supt Gray said.
"The weekend's results reinforce the need for traffic operations such as this and police make no apologies for a zero tolerance approach to blatant dangerous driving which puts innocent road users at serious risk."
"I am very hopeful that results from the next long weekend over the upcoming Christmas period will be remarkably different to these latest ones."
