The South Australian government is pumping lots of budget money into improving road safety and lowering the road toll
The South Australian state government is investing $98 million on a new road safety package to tackle South Australia’s high road toll.
The state government says 591 people have died on South Australian roads so far this year, 17 higher than the five year average.
More than half of the funding is dedicated to new road safety infrastructure, including $40 million to upgrade the Mount Barker roundabout at the intersection of Adelaide, Alexandrina, Wellington and Flaxley Roads, with completion expected by June 2026.
The scope of works includes upgrading the intersection to increase capacity from all roads, provision of shared use paths, stormwater drainage improvements and installation of street lights.
A further $10 million will be spent over four years on rural road targeted initiatives including audio tactile line marking, safety barriers and rural junction activated warning system signage.
The package includes $17.8 million for approximately 15 new mobile speed cameras and the replacement of an anticipated 16 fixed speed and red light cameras with newer technology.
SA transport minister Tom Koutsantonis says Mount Barker roads are high on the government’s safety priority.
“The Mount Barker region is set to reach a population of almost 50,000 by the mid 2030s and the state government is investing in its future accordingly,” he says.
“This roundabout is a much-needed traffic fix for this major intersection and will support nearby residential developments within the Mount Barker urban growth area and the broader Mount Barker area by improving safety, traffic flow and access for all road users. It will also reduce the potential for road crashes, including right angle and right turn crashes.
“Adelaide Road currently carries approximately 25,900 vehicles per day, Wellington Road 14,900 vehicles per day, Flaxley Road 13,900 vehicles and Alexandrina Road 7,800 vehicles, and these volumes are expected to increase significantly as residential development increases throughout the Mount Barker area.
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“This investment adds to the list of significant measures the state government is delivering for Mount Barker as well as bolstering our broader road infrastructure agenda.”
Police have advised speeding and dangerous driving, including disobeying traffic lights, stop signs and give way signs continue to be major contributing causes of fatal crashes on South Australian roads. The government says 31 per cent of lives lost have been attributed to excessive speed and 27 per cent attributed to dangerous driving so far this year.
The SA government says mobile speed cameras will assist in enforcing speed limits in regional areas. The cameras are expected to be operational in 2024. The initiative is projected to increase expiation revenue by $17.1 million per annum (indexed) from 2024‐25.
All revenue from speed cameras and mobile phone detection cameras is returned to the Community Road Safety Fund.
A further $13.4 million will be spent on an anticipated 10 additional mobile phone detection cameras to deter dangerous behaviour. This would more than double the number of mobile phone detection cameras currently budgeted for installation and is projected to increase expiation revenue by $7.6 million in 2023‐24 increasing to $21.1 million per annum (indexed) from 2026‐27.
SA police have advised that distraction has been one of the leading contributors of fatal crashes on South Australian roads over the past five years. So far this year, 20 per cent of lives lost on the state’s roads have included distraction as a contributing factor.
The fine for drivers who use hand-held mobile phones while driving will be reduced by $52 to align with the fine for a red traffic light offence, reflective of the relative seriousness of the offence. The fine will be $540 (plus the Victims of Crime levy) from July 1.
The road safety package also includes:
- $6.2 million for road safety campaigns in an effort to reduce fatalities and
serious injuries; - $6.2 million over four years for Kangaroo Island road improvements and
maintenance; - $3.8 million to deliver the motorcycle Rider Safe reform program which focuses
on awareness, judgement and decision making. This will boost the existing rider
safe program with the aim of improving the skills of learner motorcyclists and
reducing the number of motorcycle crashes; - $494,000 to implement a new licensing scheme for ultra‐high powered vehicles.
Drivers will be required to comply with specific training and other requirements,
similar to motorcycle and truck licences.
In total, the 2023-24 State Budget provides $406.2 million for regional roads for upgrades and maintenance.
“We are committed to reducing lives lost and serious injuries on South Australian roads,” SA treasurer Stephen Mullighan says.
“This comprehensive road safety package includes more funding for road safety infrastructure with a focus on enforcing the key problem area of speeding and driver distraction on our roads.
“Speed and inattention have already claimed too many lives. We make no apologies for compelling drivers to slow down and keep their eyes on the road.”