An 18-year-old from Stockwell died when his Toyota ute towing a trailer collided with a guard barrier and pole on the Northern Expressway near Angle Vale on Friday morning at about 10.40am. Despite the best efforts of paramedics and firefighters at the scene, the driver and sole occupant died.
The expressway remained closed to northbound traffic between Angle Vale Road and Two Wells Road while Major Crash investigators examined the scene. Anyone who witnessed the crash and has not yet spoken with police is urged to contact Crime Stoppers online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au or call 1800 333 000.
The man's death is the 21st life lost on South Australian roads this year. That toll underscores a growing crisis. Ten people died in crashes on South Australian roads in January alone, making it the deadliest opening to a year since 2011. Young drivers remain particularly vulnerable; people aged 16-19 are dying on South Australian roads at a greater rate than in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Australian Capital Territory.
Regional South Australia accounts for a substantial share of serious crashes, with about two-thirds of fatal incidents occurring outside metropolitan areas. Single-vehicle run-off-road crashes are the most common type of fatal crash in these regions. Young drivers and riders aged 16-24 in rural South Australia are two and a half times more likely to die or be seriously injured in a crash than those who live in the metro area.
Research suggests experience plays a critical role in these outcomes. The first year of driving unsupervised is the riskiest in a person's driving life. Upon getting a P licence and beginning to drive unsupervised, the percentage of young drivers involved in crashes rises eleven times. Young drivers' lack of experience, night-time driving and the presence of peer-aged passengers all contribute to an increased risk of being involved in a crash.
The ongoing toll has prompted discussions about tighter restrictions on young drivers, mirroring schemes in other states. Many other states have passenger and night-time driving restrictions that reflect world's best practice and are evidence-based. To stay on course with the Road Safety Strategy goals, which aim for a 50% reduction in deaths and a 30% reduction in serious injuries by 2031, South Australia needs to record fewer than 80 fatalities and 637 serious injuries by the end of the year. With 21 deaths already recorded, the state is tracking well ahead of that tragic threshold.