Kangaroo collisions are increasing in South Australia, prompting regional drivers to exercise caution on rural roads. The RAA, the state's leading motoring organization, has reported a significant rise in insurance claims related to these incidents over the past year.

Graeme White, a casual school bus driver in the South East, has noticed more kangaroos on the roads during his morning routes into Naracoorte. With over 50 years of experience driving rural roads, White has observed a marked increase in kangaroo sightings. "You're dodging them everywhere now," he said. He noted that during his morning runs, he often sees between 15 to 40 kangaroos feeding in the paddocks. This surge in kangaroo activity raises concerns about road safety in the area.

While a collision with a kangaroo may not injure bus passengers, it can still cause significant damage. The risk is much higher for smaller vehicles. White's family has experienced two recent kangaroo collisions on local roads, both of which resulted in no injuries but served as a reminder of the dangers of driving in the region. "At 6:45 a.m. in the morning when you're heading out of town on your run … you're dodging them everywhere now," he said. "They are a danger for sure."

The RAA's updated statistics indicate that the increase in kangaroo activity is not limited to the South East. Senior traffic engineer Matthew Vertudaches reported a 40 percent rise in kangaroo collisions this year compared to previous years. He attributed this trend to dry weather conditions, which often drive wildlife closer to roads. Kangaroo collisions are the most frequently reported wildlife-related incidents to the RAA, with over three-quarters occurring on regional roads. "The real concern with this is that we're travelling at high speed," Vertudaches added.

Farmers in South Australia are also feeling the impact of the rising kangaroo population. They are calling for a cull, citing that drought conditions are forcing kangaroos onto farmland, where they consume limited feed and water resources. Vertudaches cautioned drivers about the dangers of swerving to avoid wildlife, as this can lead to more severe accidents, such as colliding with trees or rolling over.

Among regional towns, Mount Gambier reported the highest number of kangaroo collision claims in the past year, followed by Whyalla, Port Augusta, Mount Compass, McLaren Vale, and Naracoorte.

Leon Brice, managing director of Bricey's South East Collision Repairs, has worked in the industry for over 40 years. He noted that approximately 70 percent of repair work now involves kangaroo collisions, a shift from the past when a wider variety of collision types were common. "Previously there was a large … variety of collision incidents, we used to do a lot of rollovers, a lot of single-car and two-car impacts," he said. "But with the introduction of safety features on vehicles … it's definitely made a difference over the years to our work supply for sure. Now it's mostly kangaroo collisions we are fixing."