Be the GOAT this long weekend and drive safely

To deter dangerous road user behaviour, SA Police will be running state-wide Operation Safe Long Weekend, which will commence at 12:01am on Friday, 7 June 2024 and conclude at midnight on Monday, 10 June 2024.

The enforcement focus for this operation will be the fatal five factors that contribute to road trauma:

• Speeding
• Non-wearing of seatbelts
• Distraction (particularly mobile phone offences)
• Drink and drug driving
• Dangerous road users

Operation Stop Drink / Drug Driving will also run for the entire duration of Operation Safe Long Weekend, placing additional emphasis on deterring, and detecting drivers who use alcohol or drugs and drive.

Unfortunately, since 2019, there have been 4 lives lost and 46 serious injuries during the June long weekend periods.

Inspector Jaimi Burns, Acting Officer in Charge Traffic Services Branch said every crash is preventable and every driver has a responsibility to drive to the conditions and obey life-saving road rules this weekend, and on any other day of the year.

“Paying attention, sticking to the speed limit, not driving after drinking or taking drugs, not driving while tired, wearing a seatbelt and not driving in a dangerous manner are all ways in which drivers can ensure they are keeping themselves, their passengers and other road users safe,” Inspector Burns said.

“Drivers should also drive at an appropriate speed to the road conditions and always maintain a safe distance from the vehicle in front.

“Stay patient, drive to the conditions, take regular breaks every two hours on longer trips, and keep your eyes on the road, so everyone can have a safe long weekend. It’s that simple.”

Poppy and her human were the GOAT when they came through our random driver testing site in Jamestown, with blood alcohol readings of zero.