McLaren Vale, Strathalbyn and Victor Harbor have the dubious honour of making the top 20 hotspots for fatal and serious crashes across the state.

Between 2013-2022, 184 people were either seriously injured or lost their lives on roads in the city of Adelaide – the worst place for casualty crashes in South Australia, according to crash data analysed by RAA.

The next three locations were all regional towns: Murray Bridge, Whyalla (both 64) and Mount Gambier (63).

McLaren Vale was fifth on the list; Strathalbyn was equal eighth and Victor Harbor equal 15th.

In the first half of this year, 77 per cent of lives lost have been in regional areas – up from the 10-year average of 66 per cent.

The data has prompted an RAA road safety warning ahead of the school holidays – with South Australian families set to flock to the state’s regions from this weekend.

RAA Senior Manager Safety and Infrastructure Charles Mountain has reminded drivers of the Fatal 5 causes of road trauma.

“Around two-thirds of all lives lost are on regional roads each year, so South Australians preparing to head away for the school holidays need to keep safety front of mind,” Mr Mountain says.

“Regional roads are generally high speed, where a small lapse in concentration or moment of distraction can have catastrophic consequences.

“The areas of Murray Bridge, Whyalla and Mount Gambier and McLaren Vale all in the top five locations for serious crashes.

“If you’re heading away, please adhere to the speed limit, take regular rest breaks and share the driving if you have multiple drivers in the vehicle. 

“Remember the Fatal 5 causes of road trauma – distraction (including using any function of a mobile phone while driving), excessive speed, not wearing a seatbelt, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol and dangerous road user behaviours.”