By Raquel Mustillo
COVID-19 restrictions have done little to deter motorists putting the ‘pedal to the metal’ on Limestone Coast roads, with the number of drivers caught speeding up by more than 22 per cent since the start of the pandemic.
Motorists have been caught speeding 4535 times on Limestone Coast roads in 2020/21 – resulting in $1.6m in fines – according to figures obtained by the RAA.
During 2019/20, police issued 4315 speeding fines, compared to 3631 fines in 2018/19.
A majority of drivers (2343) caught speeding last financial year were detected by roadside patrols, with mobile speed cameras catching 2059 motorists travelling higher than the signposted limit.
Fixed cameras, which are permanently stationed at three sites in Mount Gambier and six locations along the Dukes Highway, detected 133 speeding drivers.
More than $120,000 worth of fines were issued to 210 motorists detected running red lights in 2020/21, while 27 drivers were fined for failing to stop at traffic lights during the same period.
RAA senior manager safety and infrastructure Charles Mountain urged drivers to slow down on the road, saying drivers risked more than a fine and demerit points when speeding above the signposted limit.
“Research shows speed continues to be a major contributing factor to serious and fatal crashes,” Mr Mountain said.
“Even small increases in speed mean you travel a longer distance before you react, combined with a longer stopping distance.”
Mr Mountain said mobile speed camera locations were commonly based on speeding vehicles, many of which occurred on suburban streets with a 50kph speed limit.
He said a sufficient amount of signage should be displayed to show speed limit changes and help motorists avoid being caught speeding unintentionally.
A South Australian Police spokesperson said Limestone Coast patrols provide an observable police presence on the region’s roads to deter motorists from exceeding the speed limit.
“[The] Limestone Coast Local Service Area incorporates road safety strategies into our daily business, with a focus across all of the Fatal Five [and] speeding is one of the Fatal Five areas,” the spokesperson said.
“This focus is our attempt to educate and remind all of our road users of their responsibilities when using the roads.
“We provide an overt policing presence on our roads, not only within each township, but on arterial roads between towns to ensure people are doing the right thing.”
Police were unable to comment on driver behaviour in the Limestone Coast compared to other regional areas, but urged motorists to drive to the road, weather, conditions and individual driver capability.
“We all have a responsibility to give respect to other road users and the due diligence to our own driving behaviours,” the spokesperson said.
“We remind the community – given we are currently in the school holiday period and have our first long weekend in a few months – that police expect nothing less than people drive abiding by the road rules.”
Police Minister Vincent Tarzia said there was no excuse for speeding and people who are willing to risk lives on roads “will be held to account.”
“SA Police research shows country drivers tend to be complacent behind the wheel because they believe they have an intimate understanding of local roads,” he said.
“Shockingly, and in stark contrast, two out of three people whose lives are lost on country roads are country people.
“That’s why the Marshall Liberal Government, in partnership with SAPOL, will launch a new road safety campaign next month targeting regional drivers, with a heavy focus on speeding and the other Fatal Five offences.”
