There have been 72 lives lost on South Australian roads so far this year, one more life lost than the total in 2022.
South Australia Police are renewing its plea to the community to take care whilst driving on our roads.
Officer in Charge, Traffic Services Branch Superintendent Darren Fielke said 48 males and 24 females have lost their lives on South Australian roads so far this year.
"There is a long lasting impact on the families and communities of these 72 loved ones. There have also been 504 serious injuries on our roads, leaving those people with life changing injuries," Superintendent Fielke said.
Of the 72 deaths, 38 have been the drivers of the vehicles involved in the crashes, with 13 motorcycle riders, five vehicle passengers, 11 pedestrians and five cyclists also killed.
More than half of the deaths this year (40) have been lost on our country roads and 32 lost in the metropolitan area.
"Unfortunately many lives lost and the serious injuries on our roads can be avoided. Distraction of drivers has led to 18 lives lost, with 20 lives as a result of dangerous driving, 23 due to speed and another 20 where alcohol or drug driving was a factor. In some instances there was more than one contributing factor."
"South Australia Police is committed to road safety and conduct a range of operations throughout the year to target behaviour associated with the Fatal Five."
From 4.00 pm this afternoon (Friday) police will begin Operation Stop Drink / Drug Driving. The statewide operation will see police undertaking mobile and static driver screening tests.
"In the last five years Drink / Drug driving has been a contributing factor in 26% of lives lost collisions and 20% of serious injury collisions. Every driver detected and removed from the road has the potential to save lives," he said.
In 2023 (as of 31 July 2023) there have been 2364 drivers detected driving under the influence of alcohol. In addition, there have been 2753 drivers detected driving under the influence of drugs.
