New Child Restraint Laws
14 November 2008

Transport Ministers from around Australia have agreed to amend the Australian Road Rules to introduce a mandatory size-appropriate restraint system for all children travelling in motor vehicles up to the age of seven years. 

On 14 November 2008, the Minister for Road Safety announced that these rules will be implemented in South Australia.

• Media Release
• New child restraint laws FAQs

$2m Safety Fence for Port Wakefield Road
23 September 2008

Thousands of motorists will benefit from a new wire rope safety fence being installed along a busy section of Port Wakefield Road, which carries more than 6,500 vehicles every day.

The Motor Accident Commission (MAC), the State and Federal Governments have jointly funded the $2 million initiative aimed at protecting motorists from the consequences of head-on crashes.

Construction work will occur daily between 7.00 am and 4.00 pm and while every effort will be made to reduce any disruption to motorists, speed restrictions will be in place. Motorists are asked to use extra care along Port Wakefield Road during the construction period.

Construction scheduled for completion by December this year.

• Building safer roads 

Black Spot Level Crossing Program
24 July 2008

A new jointly funded level crossing improvement program between the State Government and the Local Government Association will deliver upgrades to a host of level crossing black spots right around South Australia.

In all, the program will see up to $4 million spent on making the regional network safer with local councils to apply for grants for projects such as improved warning More...signage, sight clearance, lighting upgrades, traffic schemes, crossing closures and road realignment.

• media release
• Level crossing black spot

More than One Train warning system up and running
21 July 2008

South Australia is the first State in Australia to introduce a warning system which will greatly improve safety for pedestrians at rail crossings.
The More Than One Train warning system is now operational at Emerson Station on the Noarlunga line.

Signs read Caution More Than One Train. They illuminate and sound an audible alarm to alert pedestrians when multiple trains are approaching.

The system will be installed at 17 sites across the metropolitan network on all major rail lines including the Glenelg tram line.

• media release
• More than One Train campaign material
• Level Crossing Rail Safety

South Australian Road Safety Action Plan 2008-2010
1 July 2008

The State Government has released a new Road Safety Action Plan, which reinforces its ongoing commitment to reduce road trauma in South Australia.

Road Safety Minister says the South Australian Road Safety Action Plan 2008-2010 is based on national research and analysis of road crash data.

The expertise of the Department of Infrastructure and Transport, the Road Safety Advisory Council, SA Police, the Health and Education Departments and the Motor Accident Commission were also enlisted.

These organisations will liaise and work with Local Government, the Centre for Automotive Safety Research, key Government Departments and the RAA to implement actions over the next three years.

• media release
• South Australian Road Safety Action Plan 2008-2010

Tougher penalties for driving high
1 July 2008

From 1 July 2008, the offence of driving with a prescribed drug in oral fluid or blood will attract an expiation fee of $420 and 4 demerit points compared with the current penalty of $313 and 3 demerit points.

On average, between 2003 and 2007:

• 24% of drivers or riders killed in South Australia tested positive to THC, Methylamphetamine or MDMA or a combination of these.
• One-third of all driver and rider fatalities that are tested for alcohol were over the legal limit.

Drivers and riders can be tested for the presence of:

• THC the active component in cannabis;
• Methylamphetamine also known as speed, ice or crystal meth; and
• 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) also known as ecstasy.
  
• media release
• Safer Behaviours

Loopholes closed for disqualified drivers
23 June 2008

Drivers who try to avoid a licence sanction, or a condition placed on their licence, will be the target of tougher laws which came into effect on 23 June 2008.

Proof of service legislation requires disqualified drivers to acknowledge receipt of their Notice of Disqualification in person and pay a fee. Failure to do this will result in the notice being served on you personally and the fee being increased. Anyone not able to be personally served a Notice of Disqualification will be prohibited from transacting any business under the Motor Vehicles Act, such as renewing your vehicle registration.

• media release
• Registration and Licensing