In the first two months of 2025, South Australian roads have already recorded 17 fatalities, highlighting a troubling trend linked to distracted driving, now a leading cause of accidents. Police have shared alarming images captured by phone detection cameras, revealing reckless behaviour among drivers, including one balancing a mobile phone and fast food while steering. Police Minister Stephen Mullighan emphasised the grave risks of such distractions, likening it to driving with a blindfold.
Distraction extends beyond mobile phones, as drivers may also lose focus by attending to passengers or children. Last year saw 91 lives lost on South Australian roads, with over half of those incidents attributed to speeding, distraction, or dangerous driving, alongside 847 serious injuries. Drug driving remains a major issue in regional areas and contributes significantly to motorbike accidents.
As pedestrian traffic surges during Adelaide’s Fringe festival, authorities are intensifying efforts to monitor and enforce road safety, targeting speeding and drink-driving. Mullighan highlighted the importance of collective responsibility for all road users—pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers alike— to ensure safer conditions on the roads.