sa motor
Reversing cameras improve safety. IMAGES: Getty, RAA.
Reversing cameras to be mandatory from 2025
Here in Australia, an average of seven children are killed each year and 60 are seriously injured after being hit or run over by a vehicle at home, according to the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics.
A new law aims to reduce the trauma caused by reversing crashes, particularly those involving pedestrians and children killed or injured in driveways.
From November 2025, all new vehicle models sold in Australia will need reversing technology fitted. New vehicles based on existing models must have the technology installed by November 2027. This new regulation applies to all vehicles, from passenger cars to heavy trucks.
RAA Mobility Technology Specialist Mark Borlace says RAA has long advocated for reversing aids in cars.
“Reversing aids have a proven record of enhancing driver visibility by minimising blind spots while reversing,” Mark says.
“The mandatory reversing technology represents a pivotal stride towards achieving our shared goal of creating safer roads for all South Australians, especially for pedestrians who are the single largest road user group.
“But even with all the modern tech, it’s still vital to check around the car before you get in, just to make sure the kids are clear.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Carol Brown says the new laws are being implemented to save lives: “If we save even one child’s life through this mandate, it will be worth it,” she says.
SA road in focus
In each edition of sa move, we shine the spotlight on a South Australian road.
Length
Casualty crashes
Minor injuries
Serious injuries
Fatalities
The road: Tapleys Hill Road
Why it’s a focus
Tapleys Hill Road runs from the Anzac Highway and Brighton Road intersection at Glenelg North to Port Road in Queenstown. It’s a critical north-south transport corridor and one of Adelaide’s busiest arterial roads.
The busiest section of Tapleys Hill Road is the western boundary of Adelaide Airport, which carries about 50,000 vehicles daily. RAA has received several complaints from members about safety along the road, particularly between Sir Donald Bradman Drive and West Beach Road near Harbour Town.
Crash history (2018–2022)
Crashes along Tapleys Hill Road are more common at intersections, and they account for 56 per cent of casualty crashes. Rear-end crashes were the most common, accounting for 46 per cent of casualty crashes. Right-angle and right-turn collisions were the next most common, at 23 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.
The afternoon peak period was the worst time for crashes on Tapleys Hill Road. More than a quarter of casualty crashes occurred between 3pm and 6pm, compared with just eight per cent of crashes during the 7am to 9am peak.
The section between Sir Donald Bradman Drive and West Beach Road was a crash hotspot, with 19 per cent of casualty crashes occurring along this 1.2km stretch, despite it making up only nine per cent of the total road length.
What RAA wants done
The current 80km/h speed limit between Sir Donald Bradman Drive and West Beach Road contributes to the high volume of crashes along this section.
RAA has suggested a 60km/h limit to provide safer travel for the many thousands of daily road users. Such a move would also require a review of the existing fixed-speed camera in this area.
RAA would like to see safety improvements made to the Reece Jennings Bikeway – which runs adjacent to Tapleys Hill Road – where it crosses side roads and at intersections, including Sir Donald Bradman Drive, Charles Veale Drive and West Beach Road.
RAA has also identified opportunities to improve slip and merging lanes, street lighting, intersection signal phasing, and pedestrian crossing facilities near bus stops.
RAA makes buying a new car easier
South Australians can now save time and money when buying a new car, with the launch of RAA’s free online car-buying platform.
The RAA New Car Buyer website automates the buying process to help people find the best available price for a new car, without the need to negotiate.
RAA’s in-house innovation team has partnered with local firm Motorbuys to build the website in response to an RAA survey which showed 52 per cent of people experienced frustration when purchasing a new vehicle, and 30 per cent preferred to not negotiate at a dealership.
New Car Buyer is designed to help South Aussies who are ready to make a purchase, once they have done their research and know the make and model of car that they want.
If you're not sure which model is right for you, RAA members can access free car advice from our team of motoring experts.
When a buyer nominates a particular vehicle make and model they want to buy through the platform, more than 2800 vetted car dealerships across Australia can respond with their best deals.
Buyers are then able to choose which dealership to purchase from based on price and estimated delivery time before organising for the car to be delivered, all on the one platform.
RAA New Car Buyer removes any need for hours of negotiation and time-consuming communication with multiple dealerships.
RAA New Car Buyer is available to all South Australians at raa.com.au/newcarbuyer
Boat rego stickers get the heave-ho
Boaties no longer need to replace and display registration labels on their boats each year. Removing this requirement eliminates the environmental impact of more than 60,000 labels printed annually.
The registration process remains the same, with a range of payment options, including online, in person at a Service SA centre, over the phone or via mail.
Boat owners will continue to receive registration renewal notices about six weeks before expiry and a Certificate of Registration in the mail as proof of registration once paid.
Marine safety officers across the state will also continue to check that boaties’ licences and boat registrations are up to date. People caught operating an unregistered boat will be fined $215 plus a $99 Victims of Crime Levy.
If you’re not sure if your vessel is registered, simply visit service.sa.gov.au, and enter the boat registration number without any spaces or dashes. Don’t forget to check that your boat trailer is also registered.
For more information on boat registration, visit service.sa.gov.au/boat-rego
RAA Charge network surging ahead
RAA Charge network surging ahead
Electric vehicle (EV) sales in South Australia have increased nearly 150 per cent since last year and RAA’s EV charging network, RAA Charge, is rising to the challenge.
By the end of November 2023, the 140-site RAA Charge network will be 75 per cent complete. Due to finish next year, the RAA Charge network will have 54 rapid and ultra-rapid charging sites and 86 destination charging sites across the state.
There are sites already operational at more than 70 regional and metro locations, including Mount Gambier, Lameroo, Kangaroo Island, Whyalla, Waikerie and Jamestown. RAA Charge sites are powered by renewable energy and will help address EV motorists' range anxiety, with 98 per cent of the charging sites no more than 200km apart.
Using RAA Charge is easy. Download the Chargefox app to find the nearest EV charging location, charge your vehicle and complete your payment. For more information, visit raa.com.au/ev-charging-network.
