New window tinting laws for SA
21 December 2009

New window tinting laws will be introduced in South Australia on 1 January 2010. The new laws will  mean we'll have the same window tinting laws across Australia.  The percentage of visible light that can be transmitted through driver and front passenger windows will reduce from 70 per cent to 35 per cent.

The uniform approach will save confusion for both industry and motorists particularly by owners of vehicles that move from one state to another.

• Media release
• Fact Sheet

Australian first - motorcycle barriers for Gorge Road 
15 December 2009

New roadside motorcycle barriers - the first of their kind in Australia - are being installed along a two kilometre stretch of Gorge Road at Cudlee Creek near Kangaroo Creek reservoir in the Adelaide Hills.

The barriers extend the traditional steel beam safety guard rails used on roadsides to cover exposed posts and gaps to reduce the impact should a motorcyclist be involved in a crash.

South Australia will be the first Australian State to use the BASYC Protection System used in several cities in Spain, including Madrid. 

Spanish experts on the system are working with the department on an initial section installed Monday 14 December with the remainder to be installed early in the new year.

The BASYC barrier is of benefit to all road users as the flexible tensioned mesh barrier assists to absorb the energy of impacts. On impact the rider is redirected in the same direction due to the high tenacity and high elasticity of the product. The textile mesh is made of a fireproof recyclable product that has UV protection, and is resistant to extreme temperatures. A paraffin and Teflon covering prevents high temperatures generated by friction at the moment of impact and ensures the progressive slip of the rider on the mesh. The product is easily installed as it is not necessary to remove the existing beam and little maintenance is required.

The two kilometre stretch of Gorge Road was identified as a priority following 6 crashes (five involving motorcyclists) between January 2004 and December 2008 resulting in 3 fatalities, 2 serious injuries and 2 minor injuries.

• Motorcycling safety

Changes coming for L and P drivers
1 December 2009

Further changes will be introduced to the Graduated Licensing Scheme next year to better prepare novice drivers for progressing to a full licence.

The key measures expected to become effective in the last half of 2010 will include:

• Increasing the minimum time required on a learner’s permit from six to 12 months for drivers under the age of 25 years.
• Increasing the minimum supervised driving time for learner's permit holders from 50 hours (including 10 at night) to 75 hours (including 15 at night).
• Increasing the maximum speed limit a learner's permit holder may travel on a road from 80 km/h to 100 km/h, where speed signs permit. At present, learner drivers are only allowed to travel at 100 km/h when accompanied by a motor driving instructor, in a clearly marked driving school vehicle fitted with dual brakes.
• Provisional (P1 and P2) drivers under 25 years of age will be restricted from driving high-powered cars including vehicles with engines of 8 or more cylinders; turbocharged or supercharged engines (except diesel powered vehicles), vehicles that have been modified to increase engine performance and a number of nominated high performance vehicles.
• Tightening of curfew conditions for novice drivers returning from a serious disqualification, a penalty of two demerit points for failure to display L and P plates instead of licence disqualification and the offer of a Safer Driver Agreement option for disqualified provisional drivers.

The key measures passed by Parliament on 1 December follow earlier changes introduced on 31 August 2009 banning L and P1 drivers from using any type of mobile phone function while driving.

• Young Driver FAQs

High Powered Vehicle Restrictions for P Platers
29 September 2009

The Government will introduce legislation to Parliament to restrict P1 and P2 drivers aged under 25, from driving high powered cars. If passed P1 and P2 drivers aged under 25, will be restricted from driving the following :

• vehicles with engines of 8 or more cylinders
• turbocharged or supercharged engines (except diesel powered vehicles) and a number of nominated high performance vehicles
• vehicles with modifications to increase performance.

An exemption system will be established and an exemption may be granted if a high powered vehicle is:

• the only one available to the driver
• already owned before the ban comes into effect
• required for the driver’s employment.

Other measures included in the legislation to strengthen the Graduated Licensing Scheme to better prepare young drivers include:

• increasing supervised driving time required by Learner drivers from 50 hours to 75 hours.
• increasing minimum time on a learner’s permit from 6 to 12 months 
• restricting novice drivers returning from a serious disqualification from carrying passengers between midnight and 5 am - a tightening of current curfew conditions. 
• a penalty of two demerit points for failure to display P-plates (replacing licence disqualification) 
• replacing the current hardship appeal provision with the offer of a good behaviour option to reduce the burden on court time.

Legislation will be introduced into Parliament in October 2009 and is aimed at new drivers, particularly those aged between 16 and 20 years, who are up to three times more likely to be involved in a serious road crash.  

National Rail Safety Week
25 - 31 July 2009

During National Rail Safety Week, the Department of Infrastructure and Transport (DIT) will continue to raise awareness of safety at level crossings.

Rail Safety Week is a good time to remind the public about safety on and near level crossings. Between April 2006 and December 2007 there were 12 level crossing crashes across Australia and of these, nine involved trucks.

DIT is working with the trucking industry to remind truck drivers that heavy vehicles can cause a train or tram to derail, which may kill or injure many people and themselves.

Three semi trailer trucks from McArdle, Whiteline and Macklin have been wrapped with the National Rail Safety campaign artwork ‘Some things are worth waiting for’ to remind truck drivers to stop for trains and trams at level crossings. The national campaign has been running in South Australia since March 2009, which includes a tram and a Pacific National train wrapped with the campaign message.

Mobile phone ban for L and P1 drivers
16 July 2009 

From 31 August 2009, all learner’s permit and provisional licence holders will be banned from using any type of mobile phone function while driving. The mobile phone ban includes:

• using hands-free mode including Bluetooth technology
• loud speaker operation 
• text messaging.

Research has shown that using a mobile phone while driving increases crash risk by at least four times.

Young and inexperienced drivers are at an even greater risk as they are still developing their driving skills and are more likely to lose concentration and make mistakes.

Young drivers are among the most frequent mobile phone users and it’s important for them to avoid additional risks when they get behind the wheel of a car.   

L and P1 drivers can still use a mobile phone in the car, but they must pull over and park the vehicle safely before doing so.

The penalty for using a mobile phone while driving is a fine of $218 and three demerit points.

Last year, 362 people aged between 16 and 24 were killed or seriously injured on South Australian roads. And over the last five years, 2031 young people were killed or seriously injured. 

The State Government is making changes, such as this, to help keep young people alive and safe on our roads.

• Frequently asked questions
• Media release
  

Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Scheme
17 April 2009

From 1 May 2009, any driver who commits the offence of:

• driving with a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) at or above 0.15
• driving with a BAC at or above 0.08 and has been caught in the last five years
• driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or
• refusing to provide a sample of breath or blood for alcohol testing

will be required by law to have an alcohol Interlock (small breath-testing device) fitted to their vehicle at the end of their licence disqualification. 

The alcohol Interlock must be installed for a period of time equal to the disqualification, which will be at least 12 months.  Drivers will only be allowed to drive a nominated vehicle with an interlock installed. 

A driver will not be able to re-gain a full driver’s licence until they have completed the required alcohol interlock time.

Under the Mandatory Alcohol Interlock Scheme, drivers will be responsible for all costs related to the interlock.  A concession scheme for eligible concession card holders will apply.

• Frequently asked questions
• Media release
   

Some things are worth waiting for
27 March 2009

‘Waiting for a train to pass might cost you a few minutes of your precious time but consider what you could lose if you don’t stop.’

DIT's new rail safety campaign aims to remind people that if they don’t stop at level crossings they are risking their life, which means missing out on so many of life’s significant milestones such as weddings, children and time with friends and family.

The majority of crashes at level crossings occur when people are in a hurry and try to make it through a level crossing when the boom gates are coming down; or from general inattention around rail crossings. The DIT campaign reminds people that it’s worth stopping and waiting for trains/trams to pass at level crossings.

DIT research shows that the majority of rail level crossing crashes can be attributed to inappropriate behaviour and human error by motorists and pedestrians. From January 2001 to June 2008 there have been 33 rail crossing fatalities and 71 serious injuries in South Australia alone.

Drivers also need to be aware that driving offences at level crossings attract a fine of $307 and loss of three demerit points.

The campaign will air through to June with television, radio, online, billboard, poster and tram wrap advertising. Plus, for the first time a Pacific National diesel locomotive will be wrapped with the campaign message, communicating to rural South Australia.

• View campaign material
• Media release
  

Changes to Alcohol Interlock Scheme
4 March 2009

On 4 March 2009, State Parliament passed legislation requiring serious and repeat drink drivers to fit alcohol interlocks to their vehicles following the required period of disqualification. The mandatory Alcohol Interlock Scheme will come into effect later this year.

• Media release

Changes to the Australian Road Rules
25 January 2009

On 25 January 2009, changes were made to the Australian Road Rules which were agreed on by all states and territories across Australia.

The National Transport Commission undertook a national public consultation process regarding the changes.

The majority of changes are slight variations to current road rules so as to clarify the meaning to all drivers.  Most amendments do not entail a change in general driver behaviour. See Road Safety offences for the full list of changes.

The following two rules have been included as part of the national scheme but are not used in South Australia at this time.

The motoring public should continue to focus on driving with care and attention to the conditions and the signage that exists.  Most changes to the road rules do not involve a modification in general driver behaviour.  Good drivers just drive, and they are courteous and careful in doing so.

A full set of the Australian Road Rules is available on the South Australian Legislation web site or SAPOL at www.police.sa.gov.au, and search “road rules”. Further enquiries phone 8343 2222.

New initiatives for the Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS)
1 January 2009

The Graduated Licensing Scheme (GLS) will be strengthened for young drivers in South Australia with a range of new initiatives to be introduced to Parliament in the latter half of 2009.

The initiatives will include:

• Increasing the current 50 hours of supervised driving required of learner drivers to 75 hours.
• Increasing the minimum time on a learner’s permit from 6 to 12 months.
• Prohibiting learner and P1 drivers from using any type of mobile phone function while driving.
• Considering a provisional (P1 & P2) driver restriction on driving high-powered cars (with an appropriate exemption system).
• Strengthening the current curfew conditions (applying to drivers returning from a serious disqualification) by restricting the carriage of passengers during the curfew times (midnight – 5am).
• Introducing two demerit points to replace licence disqualification as the penalty for failure to display P-plates.
• Replacing the current hardship appeal provision with the offer of a Good Behaviour Agreement.

The initiatives will require the approval of Parliament and if accepted are likely to come into effect in late 2010.

The initiative prohibiting Learner and P1 drivers from using any type of mobile phone function, including hands-free or bluetooth units while driving will come into effect in the first half of 2009 through a regulation change.

• Media release
• Young drivers FAQs