Hundreds of drivers caught speeding during road safety operation, South Australia

More than 600 motorists were issued with fines after being caught speeding during a four-day state-wide blitz this week, despite police warning of the campaign.

Operation Safe Speed began at 1am on Monday (26 August) and ended at midnight last night.

The highly visible speed management operation had a focus on educating drivers about speeding, as well as reducing fatalities, serious injuries and casualty crashes across the state.

Overall there was a total of 1,022 drivers detected travelling above the posted speed limit, compared to 911 detections when the same operation was conducted back in March.

Superintendent Robert Gray, Officer in Charge of the Traffic Support Branch, said the number of road users making excuses or justifying their own excessive speed was unacceptable and irresponsible.

“On average this operation has seen the detection of ten speeding drivers per hour,” he said.

“Crash data from 2018 suggests that in 20 per cent of fatal crashes, excessive speed was a contributing factor, and we know that reductions in speed will save lives and minimise injuries.

“It’s frustrating as police, and as a member of this community, to repeatedly see individuals making excuses for dangerous behaviour.

“With the road toll currently at 76, we cannot stress enough that we need the help and cooperation of all motorists to reduce the number of lives lost on our roads.”

/Public Release. View in full here.