RAA battling rising road toll

Posted 25 September, 2019 Jeremy Rochow

South Australia is on track to reach its worst road toll since 2010 when 118 motorists died on the state’s roads.   Between January and August this year, 78 people tragically lost their lives on South Australian roads – that’s a death every 3 days. If this rate of carnage continues, a further 39 people will die by the end of 2019, bringing the total to 117 – only one less than in 2010. In a bid to avoid this devastating outcome and put a stop to the state’s skyrocketing road toll, RAA set out to educate road users in the heart of the city.   On September 25, RAA showed confronting vision of ANCAP car crash tests and set up 2 crash-test vehicles in Victoria Square to demonstrate the impact of road collisions. The 1998 model Corolla with a low ANCAP safety rating showed far more damage than the newer model, boasting a high rating. The massive difference in damage highlighted the potentially lifesaving benefits of buying a car with a high ANCAP score.   RAA also provided information about car safety ratings, free learner driving lessons and refresher courses to show how drivers can make positive decisions every day and stay safe on the road.     RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain said the year-to-date road toll revealed increases in deaths among almost all types of road users, ages and locations. “Everyone has a part to play in reducing the road toll, and we’re urging drivers to take control of their behaviour and choices when they get behind the wheel,” Mr Mountain said.   This year’s road toll includes a worrying spike in deaths among 16 to 25-year-olds. 15 people from this age group have already died on the road this year, compared to 8 people over the same period in 2018. “It’s heartbreaking for any young life to be cut short and unfortunately young people tend to drive vehicles that are older and less safe,” Mr Mountain said.