A driver has been killed in a crash north of Adelaide in which a van hit a tree on a median strip, promoting safety warnings ahead of the Easter long weekend.
The 63-year-old man's death is the 42nd person killed on the state's roads this year, compared to 20 a year ago.
Emergency services were called to the scene on Main North Road, north of Elder Smith Driver just after 2am.
The van had been travelling north when it crossed onto the median strip, police said.
"Sadly, the driver and sole occupant of the van, a 63-year-old man from One Tree Hill, died at the scene," Senior Constable Kate Dawson told ABC Radio Adelaide.
Major Crash officers are investigating and north-bound lanes of Main North Road remain closed near the scene.
The man's death comes amid more pleas for caution on the roads after a high number of fatal crashes and ahead of forecast wet weather over Easter.
"We've had such a terrible start to 2023," RAA road safety senior manager Charles Mountain said.
"We've seen 38 people lose their lives over Easter breaks since 2000, we've had only one fatality free Easter since 2017 and that was last year.
"We certainly don't want to see the sort of crashes occurring that we've seen so far [this year]."
SAPOL's road safety coordinator Senior Sergeant Sue O'Connor told ABC Radio Adelaide's breakfast program it was also important to note 273 people have been seriously injured on our roads this year.
"It's horrific for us as police officers and emergency service workers who have to continually go to these scenes and see the carnage that is currently on our roads," she said.
"So while we talk about 42, as of this morning, there's still 273 people who have been seriously injured in crashes this year so they're people ... who possibly five years later or a lifetime later will still be being treated for injuries such as brain injuries and long-term recovery.
Holly Scott survived a serious crash five years ago and is still recovering from her injuries.
"Major Crash was called to the scene because no-one thought I would survive, I broke both my legs, my femur bones, I shattered my pelvis, I broke multiple vertebrae in my back, I fractured my right hip and tail bone, and I have a brain injury from it, brain bleeds," she said.
"That was five years ago now and the seriously injured statistic – those lives have changed forever, they didn't just survive in that crash."
She urged people to take care on the roads, especially ahead of the Easter long weekend.
"Leaving your home and getting back safely is such an underrated thing," she said.
"Please think of others on the roads as well, it's not just you, something could happen that could change your life so quickly."
