A HORROR start to the year on South Australian roads with 12 fatalities in the month of January – including two in the Limestone Coast – has been met with local police reinforcing the message of road safety.
The loss of 12 lives is the worst January toll since 2015 and seven more compared to last year.
The fatalities include a 72-year-old female passenger of a car, which struck a tree near Bordertown on January 8 and a 60-year-old male cyclist who was struck by a truck at Kingston on January 17.
While serious road crashes have occurred right across the state, Limestone Coast Highway Patrol traffic manager Sergeant Todd Reed said already having two fatals in the local region is devastating for the South East.
“We never want any road deaths in the state, let alone in our local service area and we have already had two, which is disappointing,” Sgt Reed said.
“That’s two families who are gravely affected and that is two too many.”
He said it should serve as a poignant reminder about the dangers the roads present.
“Specifically the things that we know contribute to the fatal crashes are the fatal five, which statewide we continue to focus on as a police force and we have a very low tolerance,” he said.
“They are speeding, failing to wear seatbelts, drink and drug driving, distracted drivers and also dangerous drivers.”
Following a record-low road toll in 2018, Sgt Reed said his team’s focus was to keep lowering that number and make sure drivers avoid complacency in light of the favourable statistic.
“We cannot get complacent – no death on our roads is acceptable, we just cannot accept any number,” Sgt Reed said.
“We are aiming to achieve all the time to lower that number and the only perfect number to arrive at is zero.”
RAA Road Safety senior manager Charles Mountain re-iterated Sgt Reed’s message.
“The recent spike in fatalities demonstrates the ever-present danger on our roads,” he said.
“Whether you are behind the wheel, on a motorcycle, a push bike or crossing the street, it’s crucially important to be focused on the task at hand.”
Following a busy school holiday period and the Australia Day weekend, naturally there has been a higher volume of traffic on the roads.
With another long weekend approaching in March and Easter to follow shortly thereafter, road users can expect to face similar road conditions.
While the highway patrol will attempt to do all they can to make the roads safer, Sgt Reed said the onus is ultimately on drivers.
“Road users need to take their own safety into account by driving to the road conditions, take breaks and if there is more traffic on the roads they need to make sure they drive accordingly,” he said.
“My message would be to think if something does happen, who will you be leaving behind?”
Sgt Reed also encouraged other road users to immediately report any irresponsible driving behaviour they witness on Limestone Coast roads.
“If you are in a position to record the details and registration to identify the offending vehicle then contact the police via the assistance line on 131 444,” he said.
“If we have got the information and evidence at hand, we will certainly take action against those road users to deter their behaviour.”
