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AAP
AAP
Politics
Tim Dornin

Safety review for Adelaide freeway

The SA government is investigating safety improvements for Adelaide's busy South Eastern Freeway. (Kelly Barnes/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Infrastructure and technology improvements and more driver training and education will be considered in a meeting of key stakeholders to improve safety on Adelaide's South Eastern Freeway.

Next week's meeting comes after a shocking incident last month when an out-of-control truck smashed into multiple cars at an intersection at the base of the roadway, injuring nine people.

The crash was the latest in a series of incidents on the down-track, including one which claimed two lives in 2014 when a sewage truck hit two stationary vehicles.

"The government is committed to exploring all options to further improve safety on the South Eastern Freeway down-track to minimise the risk of heavy vehicle accidents like the terrifying crash we saw last month," Infrastructure and Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said.

"Of course, we cannot prevent every instance of poor decision-making or driver error, but we can ensure the down-track is as safe as it can be for all road users."

Included in the discussions will be representatives from the road freight and heavy vehicle associations, SA Police, the Royal Automobile Association and the national heavy vehicle regulator.

They will explore potential improvements, including a third safety ramp, as well as ways to better use existing infrastructure and systems such as ramps, signage and safety cameras.

Options to improve compliance - including legislation, driver and industry training, education and communication with industry - as well as measures implemented in other states to manage steep descents will also be considered.

Mr Koutsantonis said any new measures would build on the work already done including increased safety signage, reduced speed limits for heavy vehicles and covering the costs of towing heavy vehicles from safety ramps.

The federal and state governments have previously committed $75 million to refit and upgrade the freeway's Heysen Tunnels and a further $75 million for a range of changes including moveable centre barrier gates, gantries with cameras and sensing equipment, and facilities for a standby tow truck fleet to deal with incidents.

The South Eastern Freeway is Adelaide's direct road link with the eastern states and also brings commuters into the city from communities across the Adelaide Hills.

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