Editor's note & your letters
Editor's note
Summer in SA
Summers in South Australia are synonymous with beach days, road trips and barbecues in the backyard. This edition of sa move, we celebrate summer and all it has to offer, and highlight how you and your family can stay safe on the road (and beach) during the warmer months.
A day at the beach, with a game of cricket on the sand, and a swim in the surf, is a must during summer. Vehicles are permitted on some SA beaches, so we’ve sat down and compiled some driving tips to make sure everyone, including wildlife, has a safe day by the seaside (page 18).
Plenty of people will be heading away during the summer school holidays. With so many motorists on the road in regional areas, it’s important to stay safe and remember the risks associated with driving on country roads. We delve into regional road-crash statistics, and the toll it takes on the local community, emergency services and those people involved (page 13).
On a lighter note, we want to enjoy all that South Australia has to offer when the sun is shining. Go on a coastal road trip and visit some of SA’s stunning seaside regions (page 34). If you’re looking for a Christmas market or two, we have you covered with our favourites (page 56).
We also have plenty of overseas travel content to inspire your next international adventure. Cross the ditch and go bungee jumping in New Zealand (page 41). Or, if you want to expand your horizon a little more, we list our top 10 places around the world to visit in 2024 (page 46).
Enjoy your summer.
Your letters
WIN AN RAA VOUCHER
Did your letter appear in sa move? If so, a $50 RAA EFTPOS gift card is on its way to you in the mail. Here at sa move, we love to know what you think, so email us at samove@raa.com.au or send a letter to sa move Editor, 101 Richmond Rd, Mile End, SA 5031 and go in the running to win a $50 RAA EFTPOS gift card if your letter is featured in the next edition.
Supporting cyclists
I recently made the decision to downsize from driving a car to riding an e-bike instead. I was going to cancel my RAA Road Service as I thought it would be unnecessary if I wasn’t going to be driving anymore.
A few days later I was perusing sa move magazine and noticed that RAA Road Service can also be used by bicycle riders so I decided [my membership] would be worth renewing after all!
Thanks RAA, for offering this service to cyclists. It is very much appreciated and makes me feel safe and confident to jump on my e-bike at any time. If I find myself with a flat tyre or another problem with my bike, RAA will be there to help me, so I will continue to renew each year.
L. Creazzo, Morphettville
Save seconds or lives
As a country road user, I am constantly amazed at the risks some motorists take. Overtaking when coming to a bend or over double lines puts everyone’s lives in danger. The few seconds gained is not worth a life.
S. Hulse, Stansbury
We need more rest stops
My husband and I recently went on a road trip to Mackay in Queensland and went through New South Wales. We had a lovely trip, but my one concern is that in South Australia our rest stops are the worst. Rest stops should at least have a toilet, table, seat and bin.
New South Wales has some of the best. They have environmentally friendly toilets and signposts showing you how many stops there are between towns and which rest stops have loos.
In SA, we can drive up to four hours without a loo anywhere in sight. You can’t go behind a bush as there aren’t any, and I think it’s against the law. With our state’s stop and revive message, wouldn’t it be better if there was a toilet as well? I think we could learn a lot from New South Wales when it comes to rest stops.
V. Onofria, Renmark
Watch online now
Do you like what you’re reading? From motoring and travel to lifestyle, we have lots of great videos online. Visit samove.raa.com.au to see more.
VIN explained | Car advice
What is a VIN and where do I find it on my car? Why is it important? We catch up with RAA Car Advice Manager Andrew Clark to find out all about these mysterious numbers.
Visit samove.raa.com.au/what-is-a-vin to find out more.
Nose first or reverse? | Road rules
When you enter a parking space, how do you park? Do you edge in nose-first or show off your driving skills and reverse?
We ask the people of Adelaide what they think is the best approach and then check in with RAA’s Charles Mountain to find out how we should be parking. Visit samove.raa.com.au/nose-first-or-reverse for more info.
How to stop number plate theft the numbers on your tyres | Motoring
Hundreds of number plates are stolen every year, with many of them used to commit crimes such as petrol theft.
With that in mind, there is a solution that will stop thieves in their tracks. Visit samove.raa.com.au/number-plate-thefts to find out how you can safeguard your number plates.
IMAGES: Getty, RAA.
