As many Fleurieu drivers hit the road to their local holiday destination this October long weekend, police have warned they will be taking serious measures against motorists who choose to ignore the severity of the Fatal Five.

Police will take a ‘no tolerance’ policy when conducting static and mobile driver testing across the State, in an attempt to ensure a fatality-free weekend.

Officer in Charge Traffic Services Branch, Superintendent Bob Gray said the Fatal Five factors, which include speeding, distraction, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt and dangerous driving, are well known contributors to crashes and trauma on our roads and that there is no excuse for anyone not obeying the life-saving rules.

“Many South Australians will be driving to local holiday spots this weekend and absolutely every driver is responsible for ensuring this doesn’t result in any serious or fatal crashes on our roads.

“As part of Operation High Impact running for the month of October, we’re launching Operation Safe Long Weekend to increase driver awareness of road trauma and the impact that the Fatal Five have on families and communities. Every road crash is avoidable and the smallest mistake can cause catastrophic harm,” Superintendent Gray says.

To date, 71 lives have been lost on South Australian roads this year, a number of lives lost that was not reached until the end of October in 2020. In order to keep on top of and to stay below last year’s number of lives lost on SA roads, the upcoming four weeks will be crucial. The 71 lost lives to date this year compare to 64 lost lives at the same time last year.

One motorcyclist died and two people were seriously injured over the October long weekend last year.

Police are appealing to all drivers to stick to the speed limit, not to drive after drinking or taking drugs, to keep their eyes on the road at all times, to ensure that everyone in their vehicle is wearing a seatbelt and to drive with regard for road rules and other road users.