Several of South Australia’s key tourism regions experienced significant increases in fatal road crashes in 2024, according to data from the Royal Automobile Association of South Australia (RAA).
The Barossa, Fleurieu Peninsula/Kangaroo Island, and Limestone Coast areas saw fatalities rise compared to the average recorded from 2019 to 2023.
The data showed the following increases:
Meanwhile, other regions, such as the Murray and Mallee (-56%) and Yorke and Mid North (-49%), recorded notable reductions in fatal crashes.
In another report, RAA highlighted several trends in South Australia’s road deaths last year:
Older drivers, particularly those aged 70 to 79, were disproportionately represented, with 18 deaths recorded in this group in 2024 – double the five-year average for this demographic.
Nationally, Australia experienced its highest road toll in 60 years in 2024, continuing a four-year increase. Despite improvements in vehicle safety, the rise in deaths and serious injuries on Australian roads has prompted calls for enhanced safety measures.
In South Australia, road fatalities dropped from 117 in 2023 to 91 in 2024, alongside a slight decline in serious injuries, which totalled 845. However, these figures remain well above the targets set under South Australia’s Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan. To stay on track, the state would have needed to reduce fatalities to no more than 80 and serious injuries to 638 by 2024.
Queensland recorded its highest road toll since 2009, with 302 deaths in 2024. The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) attributed most of the incidents to avoidable factors such as speeding, impaired driving, and failure to follow road rules.
RAA senior traffic engineer Matt Vertudaches advised drivers to take extra precautions on rural roads, where 70% of South Australia’s road deaths occurred last year.
“Driving on regional roads brings increased risks due to the higher speeds and long distances,” he said. “We’re calling on all road users to prioritise safety by driving to the conditions, adhering to the speed limits, avoiding distractions like mobile phones, and ensuring you’re well-rested before driving.
He added that driver fatigue, speeding, and distraction remain the leading contributors to road trauma.
“Every life lost on our roads is a horrific tragedy, and serious injuries put major strain on individuals involved and their loved ones as well,” Vertudaches said.
