Travel Safety

Driving

Australians drive on the left-hand side of the road and seat belts must be worn at all times. If you want to drive a motor vehicle or motorcycle within South Australia, you must have a license for that type of vehicle.

Drivers must ensure that their blood alcohol level stays below .05 or they will be charged with "driving under the influence".

Roadside assistance

Car hire companies offer roadside assistance to their customers. Please check terms and conditions with your hire car company. Further roadside assistance in South Australia is offered by the Royal Automobile Association (RAA). For further information, visit the RAA website.

Outback driving

To ensure that you get the best out of your experience, it is important to obtain good advice and thoroughly prepare for your journey. Your safety is important to us. Please take the time to read the Don’t Leave Home Without It page to make your journey more enjoyable.

Maps

Download maps of South Australia from the Brochures and Maps’ page on this website. 

Emergency telephone numbers

Call 000 for emergency fire, police and ambulance assistance throughout Australia. From mobile phones it's 112. For non-emergency police attendance, call 131 444. 

Water safety

South Australia has a lot of beaches and great river spots to enjoy during your holidays. Here are some safety tips to make your swimming and water sport holiday even more enjoyable:

Swim between the red and yellow flags at the beach. The red and yellow flags indicate the safest place to swim when lifesavers patrol beaches.

- Always swim or surf at places patrolled by lifesavers
- Always swim under supervision
- Read and obey the signs
- If you are unsure of surf conditions, ask a surf lifesaver
- Don't swim directly after a meal
- Don't swim under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Always check the depth of the water
- Never run or dive into the water. Even if you have checked the depth, water conditions can change
- If you get into trouble in the water, stay calm. Signal for help by holding up one arm and waving. Float and wait for assistance
- Use SPF 30+ sunscreen, wear a shirt and hat. Remember to reapply sunscreen after exercise or swimming
- Learn how to spot a rip and keep clear of it. A rip can be recognised by sand coloured or rippled water running out to sea when the water on either side is generally cleaner. The waves may also be larger and breaking further out to sea on both sides of the rip
- Keep the beach clean, put your rubbish in a bin and keep off the sand dunes. They are there to preserve the beach environment

Sun safety

Apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going into the sun and reapply regularly, particularly after exercise and swimming. Use a broad spectrum sunscreen, minimum SPF 30+. The sun is very harsh in Australia. Protect yourself at all times. Slip, Slop, Slap (put on a shirt, put on some sunscreen and put on a hat).

Note: In Australia the sunlight is so strong that even when you are using a SPF high-rated sunscreen, you will still develop a tan or get burnt. Drink lots of water!

Where possible, avoid strenuous exercise during hot weather. In the 30 minutes before exercise in the heat, drink at least half a litre of water. During normal activities, maintain adequate fluid intake (no alcohol or caffeine).