Articles by David Nankervis

Almost twice as many South Australian P-plate drivers are being caught driving under the influence of drugs as those caught with alcohol in their system, latest figures show.

Petrol retailers have raised unleaded prices by 15c a litre during the long weekend.

Unleaded petrol prices at two service stations at the intersection of Magill and Portrush roads varied between 119.9c a litre and 95.9c a litre yesterday morning - a difference of $17 on the cost of filling the tank of a family sedan.The RAA said three major retailers - Coles, Woolworths and On The Run - were increasing prices at selected service stations while other retailers were resisting a rise.We are encouraging motorists to shop around"A lot of motorists are unaware that wholesale petrol prices have increased in the past week and a half to 105c a litre - so a swing up to 119.9c is within the normal range of a price spike," RAA senior analyst Chris West said."We are encouraging motorists to shop around and fill up as three of the big four Adelaide retailers are raising prices."Motorist Sue Ryan said she was surprised at the variation in unleaded prices while filling up at the cheaper Coles outlet at the junction of Magill and Portrush roads."I'm glad I can still cash in on the cheaper price," Ms Ryan, 47, said. "I drive between Clearview and Meningie a couple of times a week so the cheaper price is a big saving."Mr West expects the next price dip as part of the discounting cycle will see prices fall to around the wholesale price and not below the $1 a litre available at many outlets for the past couple of weeks."We would love to say prices would fall to a similar price range but changes to oil prices will flow through to (higher) wholesale prices," he said.Today's unleaded price is averaging 102.5c a litre, with the cheapest at 94.7c at Costco in Kilburn and the dearest at 119.9c a litre at various outlets.You could see petrol prices continue within this price rangeMr West expects the oil price will stabilise and provide petrol prices at the lower end of the $1 a litre range in the longer term compared to the $1.50 paid late last year."It is hard to forecast a return to $1.50 a litre because of the dynamics of the oil market," he said. "But if the Saudi Arabians continue to maintain market share you could see petrol prices continue within this price range."Cost of unleaded petrol across Adelaide yesterday:Costco, Churchill Rd, Kilburn - 94.7c a litreColes Magill and Portrush roads, Payneham - 95.9cWoolworths, Hackney Rd, Hackney - 95.9cSeveral outlets - including On The Run at Portrush Rd, Payneham, and The Parade, Kensington, and BP at Henley Beach Rd, Mile End - 119.9c

As traffic volumes peak with the start of the school year today, the RAA says its annual survey of a dozen key routes shows flows are at "unacceptable levels" and that city streets are "not coping" with increasing volumes.Roads with the greatest increases to travel times in the past 12 months were North East Rd, Goodwood Rd, Main North Rd, Marion Rd and South Rd.The RAA says many roads are now at saturation point.more needs to be done to improve capacityThe survey shows cars on 10 of the 12 roads failed to reach travel speeds of at least 30km/h, or 50 per cent of the speed limit, on average in the morning peak.The situation in the afternoon peak was only slightly better, with cars on seven of the 12 roads failing to reach acceptable average speeds.Drivers are spending more than 50 hours a year extra in traffic because they cannot travel at acceptable speeds during these peak periods, according to the RAA, which late last year also found that the cycling is quicker than driving in peak hour on some of the city's major commuter routes.RAA spokesman Charles Mountain said its Metro Travel Time survey "once again" highlighted that many of Adelaide's roads were still not coping with increases in volumes."In particular, large sections of the inner-city ring route and main roads are struggling during peak periods, and more needs to be done to improve capacity," Mr Mountain said.Mr Mountain said the survey highlighted the deficiencies of the city's Inner Ring Route, large sections of which are now at saturation point.He said major roadworks such as underpasses or overpasses "should be considered" to alleviate the "pressure points" at the following junctions: Goodwood and Greenhill roads, Port Rd and Park Tce, Glen Osmond and Greenhill roads and Northcote and Robe terraces.The capacity of Greenhill Rd could also increase with wider lanes, Mr Mountain said.The major areas of congestion during the 2014 survey included:SOUTH Rd, between Torrens Road and Port Road, which recorded an average speed of 7km/h during the morning peak period, taking an average of 12 minutes and 30 seconds to travel 1.6km.BRIGHTON Rd and Anzac Highway during the morning peak period where the average speed was 9km/h.GREENHILL Rd, between Goodwood Road and Anzac Highway with an average speed of 9km/h during the morning peak period.HENLEY Beach Road, during the morning peak between Airport Road and Holbrooks Road, recorded an average speed of 10km/h.MARION Rd, between Mooringe Avenue and Cross Road, which recorded an average speed of 11km/h during the afternoon peak period PAYNEHAM Rd, from Stephen Terrace to Fullarton Road recorded an average speed of 14km/h during the morning peak.I used to drive along Main North Rd ten years ago...it was much better thenIn some good news for motorists, average speeds on the northern section of South Rd, including the Superway, reached 36km/h.Brighton Rd, although having some of the slowest sections across the city, in the past year recorded an increase in average speeds by 3km/h to 32km/h in morning peak and 5km/h to 32km/h in the afternoon peak.Regular Main North Rd commuter Lisa Stuart said the amount of traffic had increased and time it took to clear intersections risen along her route from the outer northern suburbs to the city in the past decade."I used to drive along Main North Rd ten years ago before I moved to Sydney and it was much better then," the 28-year-old Elizabeth Downs resident said."The traffic is bad in Sydney but it does have freeways."North East Rd (Modbury to city) extra 6 mins 25 secs (am peak)Goodwood Rd (Pasadena to city) extra 4 mins 49 secs (pm peak)Main North Rd (Pooraka to city) extra 3 mins 53 secs (am peak)Marion Rd (Darlington to Henley Beach Rd) extra 3 mins 21 secsSouth Rd (St Marys to Anzac Highway) extra 2 mins 58 secs

Police figures obtained by News Corp Australia show 2010 motorists have been caught by police in the past three years for failing to ensure children aged from babies to early teens are in child restraints or belted up.On average, 16 passengers aged under 16 are killed each year on South Australia's roads, and more than 100 suffer serious injuries.The situation has prompted the State Government to launch the "Safe Driver Tips" advertising campaign today, highlighting the risks run by not properly restraining young passengers and the penalties motorists face.Children not properly restrained are at risk of injury, lifelong disability or deathJust last year, more than 600 drivers were cautioned or hit with a $384 on-the-spot fine for failing to ensure a passenger under 16 was wearing a seat belt or approved child restraint.Kidsafe SA said the police figures were disturbing."Children not properly restrained are at risk of injury, lifelong disability or death in a motor vehicle accident," Kidsafe SA chief executive Holly Fitzgerald said."So it's shocking there have been so many cautions and fines in that time - and that only represents those who are being caught." Ms Fitzgerald is urging parents and carers to be a model to children by buckling up themselves every time they drive - irrespective of the distance travelled."Explain to children that using a seat belt is to protect them, because if you have an accident these things could happen to them," Ms Fitzgerald, who is based at the Women's and Children's Hospital, said."It's common sense (to properly restrain children) and the law is there to protect them, so it's hard to understand why so many drivers are not doing it." Road Safety Minister Tony Piccolo said children "are our most precious cargo" and it was important drivers were aware of the appropriate restraints required.Children aged seven and over should use an approved booster seat"A child that is properly secured in an approved child restraint is less likely to be injured or killed in a car crash," he said."Research suggests that children are being moved into bigger seats - or are prematurely graduating to seat belts alone - when it is not appropriate for their size, and therefore, those children are exposed to a greater risk of injury." Research shows adult lap-sash seat belts do not fit children properly until they are at least 145cm tall.Mr Piccolo said children aged seven and over should use an approved booster seat until they were tall enough for the adult seat belt to fit over them properly.

Police will launch a blitz on cyclists flouting road rules to coincide with the flood of amateur riders hitting the streets for the Santos Tour Down Under.

Drivers admit they take photos while behind the wheel.Young motorists are putting lives at risk by taking 'selfie' photographs or videos with their mobile phones while driving.A new national survey shows 14 per cent of drivers aged 18 to 24 admit they have taken a selfie and uploaded it on to social media while driving.But police say they are unable to collate statistics on how many times mobile phones contribute to fatal or other serious accidents.Safety messages about the dangers of fatigue, distraction and speeding were not getting throughThe police admission has prompted calls for such information to be collated and made public to reinforce the message that drivers distracted by a mobile phone risk killing themselves and other road users.The national survey of almost 1000 young adults by insurer AAMI also found 17 per cent of South Australian respondents said they couldn't resist answering their mobile or reading a text when driving.And the young drivers are aware of the risks they are taking - 14 per cent admitted they had a 'near miss' in the past year while using their phone or tablet.Motor Accident Commission general manger of road safety Michael Cornish said it was "frustrating" that young drivers admitted using phones or tablets behind the wheel."If they cause a crash on the roads they might not only harm themselves, but other road users, and the consequences of that can carry through the rest of their lives," he said.AAMI spokesman Reuben Aitchison said a disturbing trend was "emerging among young drivers and shows that talking and texting are only part of the problem posed by smartphones nowadays, and it needs to stop".He said the survey showed some "terrifying behaviours" among young drivers and that safety messages about the dangers of fatigue, distraction and speeding were not getting through. Social analyst David Chalke said today's young drivers were behaving like previous generations.Mobile phone use while driving or riding is dangerous"When I was 18 I was self absorbed, thought I was indestructible and a far better driver than all the oldies," he said. "So this survey is showing typical young adult behaviour with new technology." He said many people's attitudes to mobile phone use while driving were ingrained."People find it impossible to not answer the phone even while driving," he said.Family First MP Robert Brokenshire asked police to provide information on how many serious injury and fatal crashes in recent years were caused by the illegal use of a mobile phone but was told the police "does not collate or maintain" such data.Mr Brokenshire said he was "surprised" police don't have this information."I believe police should keep these figures and the Government should use them in road safety campaigns to show the real dangers of using a mobile phone while driving." The RAA agreed that drivers would take the message about the dangers of using a mobile phone "more seriously" if they knew how often such behaviour contributed to injury and death on the road."Even now some people don't appreciate how much of a danger it can be," RAA road safety manager Charles Mountain said.Officer in Charge of the Traffic Support Branch Superintendent Bob Fauser said police recorded when mobile phone use had contributed to a crash but the system for recording collisions "does not allow a search for mobile phone use as a contributing factor"."Despite this lack of data, it is common sense supported by extensive research that mobile phone use while driving or riding is dangerous," Supt Fauser said.Police have run several crackdowns on mobile phone use this year, issuing $368 on-the-spot fines to 1444 motorists in June and another 1470 the next month.Acting Road Safety Minister Zoe Bettison declined to say if there was any benefit in revealing how many major accidents are caused by drivers using mobile phones.However, she did say using mobile phones while driving "significantly increases the risk of an accident irrespective of age".DICING WITH DEATH 14% of SA drivers aged 18-24 in the past year admit to taking a 'selfie' or video while driving and uploading it to social media.11% have been in a car when the driver has momentarily fallen asleep at the wheel.30% admit to ignoring the speed limit when they knew there were no cameras around.48% of young drivers admit to speeding to get to work or home sooner.76% admit to being unsure what the speed limit is at times.38% if tired when driving, were not likely to stop and have a power nap.56% say three or more hours is the longest time they are willing to drive without taking a break.14% admit to having a near miss in the past year while using their phone or tablet.17% admit they can't wait to get to their destination if someone calls or texts - they have to read or answer immediately.36% have experienced an accident in the past five years.Source: AAMIYoung Driver Survey

Traffic congestion on Adelaide roads is so bad it is quicker to ride a bike to work than drive on some routes, a survey by the RAA shows.

The state's mobile speed trap hot spots have been revealed amid calls for an inquiry into cameras' impact on road safety.

Speed cameras on the South Eastern Freeway near Adelaide are generating three times as much fine revenue as expected and providing a multimillion-dollar windfall for the South Australian Government.The cameras - at the Crafers Interchange and Mt Osmond overpass - have generated $5.84 million in speeding fines in their first seven months of operation, compared to police estimates of just over $1.6 million.At this rate of detection, the fixed cameras will raise more than $10 million a year - well above the expected $3 million.Figures obtained under Freedom of Information show the two cameras caught more than 13,000 speeding vehicles between December and June.If the aim is road safety and not revenue raising, then point-to-point cameras should have been used, so people stick to the speed limit for all of this part of the freewayThe RAA said the higher than expected speeding revenue may relate to the variation of speed limits imposed on this busy section of the Adelaide Hills freeway.Speed levels can be reduced for roadworks and poor weather conditions. RAA safety manager Charles Mountain said many drivers might be getting caught at reduced speed limits."If this is the case, then there needs to be an increase in the number of speed limit signs when the variable speed levels are used," he said.Family First MP Robert Brokenshire said the average fine indicated most motorists were only "a little bit over the limit"."So the question has to be if the fixed cameras have been put in for revenue raising rather than road safety," Mr Brokenshire, who obtained the fine figures, said."If the aim is road safety and not revenue raising, then point-to-point cameras should have been used, so people stick to the speed limit for all of this part of the freeway." Mr Brokenshire said he wouldn't be surprised if Transport Department surveys prior to the cameras' installation, which showed high levels of speeding vehicles on the downtrack into the city, "encouraged the Government to set up the cameras".Transport Department data shows that, of the 152,602 vehicles that descended the freeway into Adelaide on July 9, 2012, 11,140 had exceeded 105km/h.They are on track to generate more $30 million, based on the current rate of detection"I wouldn't be surprised if the survey tempted the Government to put the cameras where they are because Treasury is always looking for a good return on its investment in speed cameras," Mr Brokenshire said.Road Safety Minister Tony Piccolo said the simplest message for motorists was "if you do not speed you will not get caught".'It is only a very small percentage who choose to flout the law," he said. 'The money from expiations does not go into general revenue, but rather the Community Road Safety Fund."The fund provides for a range of important road safety initiatives, including infrastructure upgrades, road safety education and enforcement programs." The minister said that since the fund was established in 2003, the road toll had decreased from 152 in 2002 to 98 in 2013.Mr Piccolo said police figures showed 99.8 per cent of road users were "doing the right thing".The higher than expected revenue from the two Hills cameras comes despite the camera near the overpass being the target of two vandal attacks, which took it offline for six days.The attacks, allegedly involving a slingshot, are estimated to have cost $65,000 in lost revenue.The hi-tech cameras became operational on December 2 and were the first in the state capable of operating in a variable-speed environment.This means they can detect heavy vehicles breaking the 60km/h truck-specific speed limit and cars speeding over the general vehicle limit.In November last year, The Advertiser reported that police thought the cameras would generate $8 million during the first three years of operation.But they are on track to generate more $30 million, based on the current rate of detection.And this figure wouldn't include any motorists caught out by the reduction of the maximum speed limit for cars on the freeway's down track between Crafers and Urrbrae from 100km/h to 90km/h since September 1. Police have now increased their expectations for future fine revenue following the rate of detection initially recorded.The force's Financial Management Services Branch predicts the seven months from November to June next year will see police 'collect approximately $2.733 million'' - 70 per cent higher than the estimate for the corresponding first seven months of operation.A police spokesman said motorists needed to remember the cameras can catch vehicles speeding even when speed limits are varied for events such as hazardous weather."Crash statistics show this is a dangerous stretch of road and motorists must remember to stick to the posted speed limit," he said.