While South Australians hopefully did the right thing and stayed home over the long weekend, police were on our roads for Operation Safe Long Weekend Easter 2020.
The state-wide traffic operation focused on high risk behaviours that contribute to death and serious injuries on our roads, including speeding, distraction, drink and drug driving and dangerous road users.
Although South Australia Police have temporarily suspended static Random Breath Test (RBT) operations, random mobile tests have been conducted ever since the suspension.
These random mobile tests were used throughout Operation Safe Long Weekend, with police conducting a total of 1,510 alcotests and 222 drug tests.
Of those tests, 62 motorists were detected with alcohol in their system, while 40 reported positive drug detections.
Police also detected 504 motorists speeding, 48 using their mobile phones behind the wheel and 62 not wearing their seatbelts.
Tragically, there was one fatality during the operational period, however the crash did not directly involve Easter holiday traffic, and instead involved workers on their way to work.
“This loss of life is a stark reminder of why we will continue enforcing road rules to ensure the safety of others,” said Superintendent Bob Gray, Officer in Charge of the Traffic Services Branch.
“During these trying times we will continue to have a police presence across the state and we will continue to enforce the Fatal Five.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibly, and police simply ask that people take that responsibility seriously.
“Thank you to those who did the right thing over the long weekend. Whether you stayed inside the entire time or you gave your full and undivided attention while behind the wheel, you still contributed to keeping South Australia safe.”
Operation Safe Long Weekend Easter 2020 ran from Thursday 9 April 2020 until Monday 13 April 2020.
