POLICE ATTENDANCE

In reply to the Hon. A. BRESSINGTON (26 July 2007).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Police, Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning): Police attendance at accidents is governed by South Australia Police General Orders. The General Order, 'Vehicle Collisions' stipulates that, whenever practicable, police will attend or be tasked to the scene of collisions involving either death or injury, hit and run, allegations of liquor or drugs involved or a traffic hazard has occurred.

The monetary value of damage caused as a result of a collision is not a criteria for police attendance. As there was no indication that any of the four attendance criteria existed, the advice given to the young man in the example quoted appears to have been correct. The accident tow line would be called by the party or parties involved and the accident would need to be reported to a police station as soon as possible but, except in exceptional circumstances, within 24 hours after the crash in accordance with Rule 287 of the Australian Road Rules. Regulation 30 of the Road Traffic Regulations further stipulates requirements to report crashes. Section 43 of the Road Traffic Act contains additional duties of a driver where a person has been killed or injured.