The Malinauskas Government is investing $98 million on a new road safety package to tackle South Australia’s high road toll.

59 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 targeted road safety initiatives on rural roads, 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.

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. 31% of lives lost have been attributed to excessive speed and 27% attributed to dangerous driving so far this year.

Mobile speed cameras will assist in enforcing speed limits in regional areas, where the majority of fatal crashes occur—including 60% of all lives lost this year.

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.

The fund allocates money towards road safety initiatives such as policing, infrastructure projects and network improvements (such as black spots), education and training programs, road safety campaigns, road safety community grants and bike education in schools.

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% of lives lost on our roads have included distraction as a contributing factor.

The fine for drives who use hand-held mobile phones while driving will be reduced by $52 to align with the fine for a red light traffic 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 $56.2 million in new upgrades for regional roads. This is in addition to over $350 million of regional road maintenance expected to occur over the next four years.

Quotes

Attributable to Stephen Mullighan

South Australians are alarmed at the jump in the state’s road toll this year and the budget responds with additional effort to keep drivers safe on our roads.

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 and these measures are designed to compel drivers to slow down and keep their eyes on the road.

Attributable to Tom Koutsantonis

The Mount Barker region is set to reach a population of almost 50,000 by the mid 2030s, and the Malinauskas Labor Government is investing in its future accordingly.

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.

We’ve already invested in a Mount Barker transport study as part of a broader Hills area plan, we’ve announced the upgrade of the freeway interchange and we’re getting on with building a brand new hospital. This investment adds to the list of significant measures the Malinauskas Labor Government is delivering for Mount Barker as well as bolstering our broader road infrastructure agenda.

Attributable to Joe Szakacs

Our Government has prioritised road safety since coming into power and now with this $98 million comprehensive package, we’re walking the walk.

The road toll and number of serious injuries this year is simply unacceptable. The State Government has an ambitious goal of zero road deaths and serious injuries by 2050, and this package shows our commitment to that cause.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Whether you’re a driver, a passenger, a cyclist, a pedestrian or any other road user, there is no excuse for not paying attention on our roads.

This significant package is designed to keep South Australians and visitors safe on our roads.