ROAD SAFETY

Mr SIBBONS (Mitchell) (15:15): I am sure that all in the house will be cheering on the Crows on Saturday.

Members interjecting:

Mr SIBBONS: There is a mutiny going on now.

The SPEAKER: Very beautiful colours, member for Mitchell.

Mr SIBBONS: Thank you very much, Madam Speaker, and I enjoyed your ruling earlier. My question is to the Minister for Road Safety. Can the minister advise the house what upgrades the state government has undertaken on the Dukes Highway and how this will make the trip to Melbourne safer for Crows supporters travelling to Victoria for this week's preliminary final?

The Hon. J.M. RANKINE (Wright—Minister for Police, Minister for Correctional Services, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for Road Safety, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (15:15): I thank the member from Mitchell for this question. Following the mighty Adelaide Crows' triumph over Fremantle, thousands of supporters will be packing their bags and their cars and heading to Melbourne for Saturday night's game against Hawthorn. It has been three years since South Australian supporters have had the chance to watch one of our teams play a final at the MCG. I am pleased to advise the house that much work has been done over that time to ensure the most popular and direct driving route to and from Melbourne is much safer than ever.

Since 2008-09, $67 million has been invested in the Adelaide to Melbourne road corridor. Improvements include upgrades to 15 existing rest areas, and six new rest areas incorporating toilets, shelters with seating and solar lighting, installation of 40 kilometres of wire rope barriers, the removal of hazards such as large trees and protecting bridge structures along 100 kilometres of road, 65 kilometres of carriageway audio tactile line marking, and the widening of the centre-line gap between the two lanes to 1.2 metres along 33 kilometres of roadway. Along with the audio tactile marking separating these lanes, this provides drowsy drivers with an automatic alert as well as extra recovery space. Two new overtaking lanes were completed last year and another three overtaking lanes and one lane extension will be finished by Christmas this year.

Of course, improved roads are just one factor in a safe journey. Drivers need to put their safety and that of their passengers and other road users above all else at all times. This year we are on track to have the lowest rate of serious injuries ever recorded in a calendar year. There have been 100 fewer serious injuries recorded right now than at the same time last year, and we also have a recorded 68 fatalities to date compared to 82 at this time last year. This is progress, but it does not change the fact that every single death and serious injury causes families and communities significant heartache. Every one of these incidents changes lives forever. I urge Crows supporters and anyone travelling these roads to take the advice from Adelaide captain Nathan van Berlo: the best goal is getting home safely. Go the Crows and fingers crossed we will get to do it again next weekend.

The SPEAKER: Yes, I am really looking forward to that game this weekend. Best wishes to the Crows. The Leader of the Opposition commented that you may look good, member for Mitchell, but you do not look like you would make the team, despite the jumper.

Mr SIBBONS: Point of order, Madam Speaker!

The SPEAKER: We wish the Crows all the best at the weekend. We would love to see them in the final. I also congratulate West Whyalla on their win in Whyalla in finals at the weekend, particularly the under-14s also, who won their premiership. The house will note grievances, and I call the member for Norwood. It is nice to see you back.