Road Safety > Road Rules

Road Rules

Police play a pivotal role in the application of the Australian Road Rules through education, deterrence and enforcement.

Road Traffic Act

The rules of the road in South Australia are set by Parliament under the Road Traffic Act 1961 and are administered by the Minister for Transport.

Australian Road Rules

The Australian Road Rules were made into Regulations under the Road Traffic Act (SA) and came into operation throughout Australia on 1 December 1999. They were developed by the National Road Transport Commission, State and Territory transport agencies, police and other organisations and were drafted by the Office of Legislative Drafting in the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department.

An explanation of the Australian Road Rules is available from the Transport SA web site.

Road Safety Education Programs

The South Australia Police present several road safety education programs and displays, covering the Australian Road Rules to schools and to business and community groups.

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Drug drivers targeted

Police are targeting drivers on cannabis, speed or MDMA.

Random compulsory roadside saliva tests will be conducted and anyone caught faces a fine of up to $1800 and the loss of demerit points. In addition drivers face a fine of up to $1800 for refusing to take a test.

Under the legislation a driver can be charged with the new offence of driving with a prescribed drug in oral fluid or blood, or the existing offence of driving under the influence of an intoxicating liquor or drug.

Drug driving is one of a number of contributors to road deaths in South Australia.

In 2004, 28 per cent of driver and motorcycle rider fatalities tested post-mortem had either THC (the active ingredient in cannabis) and/or methylamphetamine (speed) in their blood at the time of the crash.

Random roadside saliva testing may be conducted anywhere in the State.


		Page URL:	http://www.sapolice.sa.gov.au/sapol/road_safety/road_rules.jsp