South Australia Police will conduct Operation Safe Long Weekend statewide over the Australia Day long weekend, with a strong presence targeting road safety offences and preventing serious and fatal crashes.
Traffic Services Branch Officer in Charge Superintendent Shane Johnson said January long weekends remain a high-risk period on South Australian roads.
"During the past five January long weekends, two lives have been lost, and 21 people have suffered serious injuries on South Australian roads," Superintendent Johnson said
"Seventy-one per cent of serious‑injury and fatal collisions occurred on rural roads, highlighting the risks associated with long-distance travel, higher speeds and driver fatigue."
Operation Safe Long Weekend will run from Friday to Monday, with police deployed across metropolitan and regional areas.
"Our enforcement focus throughout the operation will be on the Fatal Five – drink and drug driving, speeding, distracted driving including mobile phone use, failure to wear seatbelts and other dangerous road use," Superintendent Johnson said.
"Drivers should share the road with cyclists safely by checking blind spots frequently, signal clearly and early, respect bike lanes and maintain a safe distance from cyclists.
"Road safety offenders' risk heavy penalties, but more importantly, they risk the loss of life or serious injury - a lasting tragedy for the families and communities left behind. It's imperative we do our part to keep roads safe for ourselves and others."
Visit SA Police website for long weekend safety tips:
- Holiday safety and security tips
- Road safety resources
- Report dangerous driving here
- Australian Road Rules
