Police have pleaded with South Australian motorists to take greater care after a horror start to 2021, with 22 people killed so far including four in less than a week.
They have also raised concern at the number of drivers testing positive for drugs, 64 having been caught over the recent long weekend.
At the same time, only 45 people were nabbed for drink driving.
Police said excessive speed was a factor in almost a third of road deaths this year and called for an end to "excessive driver behaviours".
Superintendent Bob Gray said it defied belief so many lives were being lost and yet drivers still chose to engage in reckless, irresponsible behaviour.
"Every one of the lives lost over the past five days could potentially have been avoided if road rules and safety advice had been heeded," Superintendent Gray said.
"Road use laws are put in place because they protect people. They protect lives.
"If drivers and riders choose not to obey these laws they are blatantly and selfishly risking theirs and other people's lives."
