Chances are you already know to stop if you’re involved in a car crash. But what happens if you’re just a witness to one? Are you legally required to pull over?

The scenario

You’ve just seen a car T-bone another. You’re travelling a few metres away and witness the entire crash. Shaken, you don’t know whether you’re supposed to stop to check if everyone’s okay.

In this instance, your moral and legal obligations are very different. While you should stop if it’s safe to do so, it’s not legally required. That said, if you’re involved in the crash in any way, you must stop your vehicle. This is where you can, in fact, be fined for not stopping, and the penalties are hefty.

The Australian Road Rules state a motorist can be fined up to $2500 if they’re involved in a crash and fail to stop. When someone is injured or killed in a road crash, a motorist can face up to five years imprisonment, and sometimes an on-the-spot licence disqualification, if they don’t stop at the scene of the crash.

So, what should you do if you witness a serious crash?

While you won’t be fined for not stopping if you witness a crash (serious or not), it’s advised you stop in a safe place if possible to see if you can assist anyone involved in the crash.

RAA Senior Manager for Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says a motorist should only pull over if it’s safe to do so and they’re confident they can help if required.

“If you see a crash or are the first to arrive at the scene, your quick-thinking and action can save lives,” Charles says.

3 steps to follow if you witness a crash

You’ve stopped; now what? Keep calm and follow these simple steps.

1.  Stop

Find a safe place on the side of the road to stop, turn off your engine and put your hazard lights on.

“Park a few metres from the crash site to avoid broken glass, active fires, or spilled fuels on the road,” Charles says.

2. Report

Call emergency services immediately on 000, unless this has already been done by other witnesses.

3. Help

If it’s safe to approach the crash site, check on the health of the cars’ occupants and provide help where you can. Avoid moving them if you can in case their injuries worsen. If there’s an active fire or other high-risk danger, wait for emergency services.

“Witnessing a car crash, serious or not, can be a traumatic experience but knowing what actions to take can make you a valuable asset to everyone involved,” Charles says.

The post Can I be fined for not stopping after witnessing a crash? appeared first on samove.com.au.

You’re driving down Jetty Road at Glenelg and a hit tune comes on the radio. Without hesitation, you crank up the music to the maximum volume and start singing along.

The music is so loud that the entire street knows what song you’re listening to, and you’re unable to hear anything happening outside of the car, whether it’s sirens from an ambulance or somebody honking the horn.

Playing deafening music in your car might seem harmless, but have you broken the law? Potentially.

While there isn’t a specific rule in South Australia that says you can be fined for playing loud music, there is an offence for ‘emitting excessive noise from a vehicle’.

According to the rule, police can stop anybody driving a vehicle that’s making excessive noise from sound equipment or other devices. What’s excessive? Noise that’s unreasonably disturbing people near the vehicle.

Drivers playing excessively loud music from their vehicle can be issued a written warning to turn it off immediately. If the motorist ignores the warning, they can then be fined up to $1250.

Could loud music put you at risk?

Not only could you be disturbing the peace, with the loud music you’re playing, but you could also be putting you and other road users at risk.

RAA Senior Manager of Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says loud music can reduce your awareness of your surroundings.

Apart from reducing your awareness of what’s happening around you, listening to loud music for long periods in a confined space can cause long-term hearing loss.

“You may not hear sirens from emergency vehicles, horns from other drivers or level crossing warnings,” Charles says.

“It could also put vulnerable road users at risk if you can’t hear a cyclist’s bell, or the music may drown out the sound of motorcycles lane filtering.

“It’s best to keep your music at a reasonable level so you can still hear what’s going on around you.”

The post Can I be fined for playing loud music in my car? appeared first on samove.com.au.

Car safety technology has come a long way in recent years with the introduction of features designed to not only protect you in a crash but also other road users. But what safety features are must-haves when buying a new car?

Nine in 10 new-car buyers prioritise safety when purchasing a vehicle, according to a recent RAC WA survey.

At the same time, only 68 per cent of respondents said they knew their vehicle’s ANCAP safety rating.

It’s no secret buying a new car can be an overwhelming experience and safety is just one consideration. You’re bombarded with information – some of it helpful and some of it part of the sales pitch.

RAA Principal Advisor Future Mobility Peter Nattrass says purchasing the safest vehicle you can is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make.

“It’s not just important that your car offers you good protection from injury in a crash,” Peter says. “It’s also important that your car offers good protection to other road users, such as pedestrians, cyclists, motorbike riders and other drivers.”

So, what safety technology should you look for when purchasing a car? Strap on your seatbelt, slide on your favourite sunnies and switch on adaptive cruise control as we take a drive along the car safety tech highway.

Active versus passive

Every vehicle manufacturer provides different safety features as standard. These safety systems can be divided into two categories: passive protection or active crash avoidance systems.

Passive protections are used to reduce injury in a crash and include the likes of seatbelts, airbags and structural features such as crumple zones.

On the other hand, active vehicle technologies are designed to help prevent crashes. Active crash avoidance devices include blind-spot monitoring, lane-keeping systems and even driver-drowsiness detection.

Deciphering car safety systems

When researching a new car, you might encounter terms like active cruise control, head-up display and rear cross-traffic alert. These safety technologies all play a role in keeping vehicle occupants and other road users safe. Here are some of the safety features found in modern vehicles.

Autonomous emergency braking automatically activates the brakes to avoid a crash or reduce the impact if the driver hasn’t taken any action.

Blind-spot monitoring uses sensors to alert the driver (generally using a light on side mirrors or a beeping sound) that there’s another motorist or road user they’re unaware of.

Head-up display projects speed, navigation and warnings on to your windscreen, allowing you to see this essential driving information without taking your eyes off the road.

Lane-keep assist physically corrects the vehicle to keep it in the lane.

Must-have features

You’re looking for a new car and decide on the model you want to park in your driveway, but you’re not sure what safety features are included with the vehicle.

Do you want all the bells and whistles or more minimal safety features?

“Before looking to purchase a car, it’s good to know what safety features you see as a deal-breaker,” Peter says.

In 2025, the State Government released the ‘My First Car Safety Checklist’ to help new drivers buy the safest car they can afford.

The checklist can be used for car buyers purchasing either a new or used car and lists safety essentials you should have in your vehicle, along with recommended safety systems.

“Must-have safety features include anti-lock braking system (ABS), blind-spot detection, lane-departure warning, seatbelt pre-tensioners and airbags,” Peter says.

“Adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, reversing cameras, forward collision warning and daytime running lights are among the safety features on the recommended list.”

ANCAP ratings for safety technology

How can a car’s safety technology impact its ANCAP safety rating? Quite a bit. The Australasian New Car Assessment Program – better known as ANCAP – is an independent voice on vehicle safety.

It conducts safety-based tests on vehicles sold in Australia and New Zealand and publishes star ratings based on its findings.

Vehicles are evaluated across four key assessment pillars: safe driving, crash avoidance, crash protection and post-crash. Safety technologies found in modern cars, including active vehicle technology, are tested.

While vehicles can achieve a maximum of five stars, each of the four key assessment pillars are scored out of 100 points. This means a vehicle can’t score low in one category and receive full marks in another assessment area.

ANCAP Chief Executive Carla Hoorweg says many people in the community are aware of ANCAP safety ratings.

“Many Australians recognise ANCAP safety ratings and know where to look for them,” Carla says.

“But some don’t, especially when buying a car isn’t something they’re actively thinking about.”

“Our research shows that in many households, vehicle choices are shaped by brand familiarity or guided by the person who takes the lead on car decisions.

“For some buyers, once that choice is made, the remaining decision is a practical one, like colour.”

You can find safety ratings for new cars at ancap.com.au

Buying a safer used car

Not everyone can afford a new car, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be informed about the safety of a vehicle.

Each year, the Monash University Accident Research Centre publishes its Used Car Safety Rating (UCSR) report, rating a range of used vehicles manufactured between 1987 and 2022. They’re given a rating out of five stars – one star for the cars with the poorest safety to five stars for the best.

Three components of vehicle safety performance are tested:

1. How the vehicle protects a driver in a crash.
2. How well the vehicle protects other drivers in a crash.
3. How key crash avoidance technologies reduce the likelihood of being involved in a crash.

Last year, 25 vehicles received Safer Pick status after receiving five stars for overall safety and driver safety, and a four or five-star rating for other road safety and crash avoidance. Most of these vehicles were manufactured from 2009 onward, showing why newer vehicles have improved safety technology, better design integrity and compliance with safety.

The full UCSR report can be found at mylicence.sa.gov.au

Peter says it’s important that people buy the safest vehicle possible, whether it’s second-hand or new.

“Newer vehicles are generally safer than older ones, with older vehicles over-represented in crashes where someone is killed,” Peter says.

“Spending the time researching the vehicle you’re purchasing and making sure it has modern safety technology and a good ANCAP and Used Car Safety Rating, can help save lives.”

The post Smarter, safer cars appeared first on samove.com.au.

Drive through Adelaide’s CBD or on certain arterial roads often enough and you’ll come across a bus lane.

Given the name, it seems obvious, but are there circumstances where you can drive in a bus lane?

There are two types of bus lanes in SA – bus-only lanes and priority bus lanes.

Bus only lanes

Bus-only lanes are painted red or have red line markings and ‘BUS ONLY’ in white lettering at least every 200 metres. For example, on Hackney Road where the lanes are only for O-Bahn buses.

Only public buses and emergency vehicles can use bus-only lanes legally.

Get caught driving or stopping in a bus only lane and you’re looking at a fine of $289, plus a $105 Victims of Crime Levy.

Remember, don’t drive in the red.

Priority bus lanes

Priority bus lanes, found on roads like Grenfell Street, Currie Street and Anzac Highway, are shown by painted signs in the lane.

These lanes are for buses, emergency vehicles, cyclists and taxi drivers to use during the times stated on the signs or marked on the road.

Some bus lanes operate on weekdays between 7am and 7pm, while others operate during the morning and afternoon peak times. Outside the indicated times, any vehicle can use them. If no times or days are specified, restrictions always apply.

While a priority bus lane is active, you must not park, stop or drive the lane, except when entering or leaving a road, overtaking a vehicle turning right or making a U-turn, or avoiding an obstruction. In each case, the maximum distance you can travel in the priority bus lane is 100 metres.

For example, you’re travelling west along Currie Street in the right lane and turning left onto Morphett Street at Light Square. You can legally use the bus lane to make the turn as long as you travel less than 100 metres in the lane.

Fail to follow the rules and you risk a $329 fine and a $105 Victims of Crime Levy.

Giving way to buses

While we’re talking buses, it’s timely to mention the rules around giving way to them.

In a built-up area, drivers and cyclists must give way to any bus displaying a ‘give way to buses’ sign if it’s indicating to pull out from the kerb.

On roads with two or more car lanes, this only applies to drivers in the left lane or cyclists in a bike lane. If the left lane is blocked by a parked vehicle, drivers in the next lane over must also give way.

If there’s no give way sign displayed on the bus, you don’t need to legally give way. The rule only applies when a bus is entering traffic, not changing lanes, although it’s always courteous to let the bus in if you can. Bus drivers are still required to indicate right for at least five seconds before moving off from the side of the road.

The post Can I drive in a bus lane? appeared first on samove.com.au.

Ironically, the right side is in fact left. Here’s why it matters which side of the footpath you walk on.

Keep left unless overtaking

Unlike motorists who must legally keep left unless overtaking, pedestrians aren’t required to walk on the left side of the footpath.

It is, however, a good idea to keep left on the footpath, according to RAA Senior Manager for Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain.

“Similar to driving, keeping left can help pedestrian flow and give other footpath users the chance to pass if needed, particularly along some of the more popular paths like the coastal walk from Seacliff to Glenelg,” Charles says.

Safety aside, there are some lesser-known benefits to sticking left. If you’ve ever encountered an awkward moment weaving back-and-forth with a fellow pedestrian as you both decide who should pass who first, then sticking left might avoid future run-ins.

Footpath formalities

Now that we know which side of the footpath to stick to, there are a few ways to walk safely to avoid collisions with fellow footpath users who may not have got the memo that left is best.

When you’re walking on a footpath or shared path, it’s important not to unnecessarily block the path of fellow footpath. If you’re riding a bike, e-bike, wheeled recreational device or a personal mobility device (PMD), you must give way to pedestrians. This is where split paths can be useful. These are dedicated paths for walking and for bikes or e-scooter users.

If you’re walking or riding on a separated path, then it’s important to keep to the side of the path that matches your mode of transport. Bike only paths, as the name implies, are for bikes and wheeled devices, including e-scooters.

“Where there are separated paths, pedestrians mustn’t walk in the bike-only section and vice versa,” Charles says.

Pedestrians also mustn’t walk on bicycle only paths. In fact, they can be fined $61 if they fail to keep out of the path of cyclists.

No matter which side you’re on, knowing your surroundings and being aware of those you’re sharing the footpath with is important.

“When walking with friends, be mindful not to block the path of approaching pedestrians by walking three abreast,” Charles says. “Disband to allow other pedestrians or cyclists to pass and then regroup if you must.”

What happens when there’s no footpath?

If there’s no footpath or nature strip, or it’s not practical to use, pedestrians may walk on the side of the road. That said, it’s a lot riskier, so take precautions like walking on the edge of the roadside facing oncoming traffic. “Pedestrians can then see motorists or other road users coming towards them, and they can also see you,” Charles says.

Final word

When in doubt, we drive on the left side of the road in Australia, so it makes sense to walk on the left side of a footpath. Keeping left where practical can help the flow of foot traffic remain smooth and just like a walk in the park.

The post Which side of the footpath should you walk on? appeared first on samove.com.au.

Concerning stats from RAA have revealed that eight in 10 road users don’t know the correct minimum age or speed limits for e-scooters.

With e-scooters and e-bikes becoming a familiar sight on South Australian roads, footpaths and shared paths, they’re a convenient, affordable, fun and increasingly popular transport alternative.

But as more South Australians take to two wheels, the number of related injuries and even deaths is telling a different story.

Dedicated e-scooter laws were introduced in South Australia in July 2025, yet awareness remains dangerously low.

More than eight in 10 road users couldn’t identify the maximum speed limit for e-scooters on footpaths, and 77 per cent were unaware that 16 is the minimum age to legally ride these devices on public roads and footpaths.

SA Police has recorded 39 e-scooter injuries in SA as of early May 2026, including five serious injuries – up from 16 in December 2025.

RAA Senior Manager of Road Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain says the findings are a wake-up call.

“RAA is concerned about people buying and riding e-scooters, including parents buying them for their kids, without knowing the laws that exist to protect them,” he says.

“There’s also a cohort of riders flouting the law, causing great risk to themselves and other road users.”

E-bikes and the law

E-bikes are a growing part of this picture, and a growing concern. Many e-bikes now being sold and ridden in South Australia aren’t road-legal as they’re not pedal-assist and the motors don’t cut out at 25km/h. This means they’re legally motorbikes rather than bicycles.

Riders and parents may not realise the device they’ve purchased isn’t legal to be ridden in public, and riding an illegal e-bike carries both legal and safety consequences.

“E-bikes are surging in popularity and we’re seeing more of them on our roads and footpaths every week,” Charles says.

“But a significant number of those bikes are illegal, and many riders have no idea, or are simply disregarding the law.”

What RAA is doing

This month, RAA launched its e-scooter and e-bike safety awareness campaign – Don’t bury your head in the footpath – in a push to close knowledge gaps and make the consequences of dangerous behaviours on e-scooters and e-bikes impossible to ignore.

“E-scooters can be a convenient way for people to get around, but riders need to both know and follow the rules to keep themselves and others safe,” Charles says.

“By riding responsibly, South Australians can enjoy the benefits of e-scooters while keeping our footpaths and roads safe for everyone.”

Launching during National Road Safety Week (17–24 May), the campaign is designed to tackle two problems.  First, many riders are in denial because they’ve never been hurt and don’t believe they will be.

Others simply aren’t across the rules or find it confusing. In all cases, lives are at risk.

“When an illegal e-bike travelling at speed hits a pedestrian on a shared path, the consequences can be devastating,” Charles says.

“This isn’t about discouraging people from riding, it’s about making sure they know what they’re riding and how to ride it safely.”

The campaign covers five key safety areas:

• The difference between legal and illegal e-bikes
• Minimum age requirements for e-scooters
• The heightened risks to children
• Speed limits on footpaths and roads
• Helmet requirements.

RAA’s also convening a roundtable bringing together government, industry, trauma experts and students to help drive meaningful change through the State Government’s review of e-scooter legislation expected later this year.

The post Don’t bury your head in the footpath appeared first on samove.com.au.

There are about 1.7 million people carrying smartphones and 1.5 million registered vehicles on SA roads. Statistically there are more phones than cars – a potentially fatal combination.

The ongoing mobile phone detection camera roll-out means the rules are suddenly more prominent in our recent memory.

But laws banning motorists from holding and using a phone while driving have been in place in SA for almost two decades, with a handful of changes and updates made along the way.

And as our phones rapidly absorb more of what used to live in our wallets, the rules have had to keep being fine-tuned along the way.

Here are four times you can legally use your mobile phone while sitting behind the wheel of a running vehicle.

1. To pay

It’s been 10 years since tap-to-pay smartphone technology started nudging physical cards out of our wallets, making using a phone to pay while behind the wheel a bit of a grey area.

South Australian Road rules state that a driver can be stationary in a road-related area, engine running and keys in ignition – and legally hold their phone to make a payment – provided that the payment is required in the road related area. That can be when you’re at:

• A fast food drive-thru payment window, before stowing your phone  (not on your lap) before driving on to collect your meal
• A car park boom gate requiring payment to exit
• A grocery service window to present a digital gift card, QR code or voucher
• A car wash payment terminal.

This means you can’t pay back your passenger for your share of the meal as you drive away, or at lights, intersections or times when stopped in traffic.

2. To show ID

In October 2017, SA became the first Australian state to launch a digital driver’s licence, pipping NSW by one month and giving wallet manufacturers further cause for anxiety.

Through the mySA GOV app, South Australians could leave their physical wallet at home, instead presenting their phone to verify age for entry into pubs and clubs, and for roadside police checks.

Like paying for goods and services, holding a phone for purposes of ID has been cleared up in the legislation. You may hold your phone in your hand when your car is stationary in a road-related area to:

• Open the mySA GOV app and show your digital driver’s licence when asked by police
• Display a digital pass (such as when entering a gated car park) or staff access card at a boom gate for entry or exit
• Present digital proof of concession at a car park entry for discounted rate
• Show a digital boat registration or permit (as of November 2024) at a boat ramp entry point.

Again, this doesn’t mean you can hold your phone when stopped in traffic or at traffic lights.

3. To get from A to B

Gone are the days of carefully plotting your route page by page using a Gregorys Street Directory (and definitely not balancing it precariously on your knees while driving).

While digital navigating has been around since the 1990s, messing about with navigation on any touch screen (phone or otherwise), is just as distracting as balancing the street directory on your knees.

Many cars on the road predate Apple CarPlay or Android Auto entirely. Even in newer cars, built-in map updates can cost hundreds of dollars and may already be out of date on arrival. Smartphone apps with real-time traffic rerouting remain, for many drivers, simply more reliable.

What does this mean under SA’s phone laws? Unlike the previous two examples, using a mobile phone as a navigation aid can be done while the car is moving (unless you’re a L or P1 licence holder), but only under specific conditions.

The Australian Road Rules state that you can use your phone as a navigational tool while moving, but only if it’s secured in a proper mount and you can’t touch or tap any part of the phone or screen at any point while driving.

4. To make or receive an audio call

The car-phone was the original mobile phone, with technology so large it needed a vehicle to make and take calls transportable. Today, it’s still possible to use your phone to make or receive an audio call while driving, but only under certain circumstances.

• If your phone is securely mounted in a cradle attached to the vehicle, you may touch it to accept or end a call
• If your phone isn’t mounted (say, in your centre console or pocket) you may still make or receive an audio call without touching the phone. For example, you can use Bluetooth or voice activation. You can’t hold or look at the phone, rest it on your body (including your lap) or press or manipulate it in any way.

A quick note on what audio call means. You can’t make video calls, read or write text messages, or scroll through social media. It’s best to pull over and park, so you can give your recipient your full attention.

Rules for learners and P1 licence holders

If you have a learner’s permit or are a P1 provisional licence holder, there are special rules. You can use a mobile function to: pay for goods and services or show a code or coupon, or show identification.

You can’t use a smartphone as a navigation tool, even mounted in a cradle, or use any phone function while the car is moving, like hands-free or Bluetooth.

And, like all other motorists on the road, you still can’t use it when stopped at traffic lights or stationary in traffic.

The post 4 scenarios where you can use your phone at the wheel appeared first on samove.com.au.

In this short and sharp quiz, we test your knowledge on a new speed-rule that’s catching people out, the definition of a common SA pedestrian crossing, and the law to keep students safer near the school bus.

*Enter your answers, then click ‘submit’ at the end to check your score.

The post Quiz: Three tricky road rules appeared first on samove.com.au.