"No consideration": Tough new penalties introduced for "thoughtless" drivers
One Australian state is set to introduce a new law to enforce harsher penalties on "thoughtless" drivers who endanger the lives of children.
South Australian independent Frank Pangallo has proposed legislation that would see prison terms of up to three years and fines of up to $5,000 for drivers found guilty of aggravated driving offences while children under 16 are present.
“Like most people in the community, I am deeply alarmed at the number of thoughtless people who have no qualms about getting behind the wheel of a car and drive like a moron while there are kids in the car,” Mr Pangallo told the Advertiser.
“Not only are they putting their own lives at risk, but far more critically, the lives of innocent children in the vehicle."
“I have spoken to a number of senior police who are astounded by the stupidity of these drivers who have absolutely no consideration for the dangers they are placing those children in.”
Pangallo was prompted to urge the reforms after the state saw two horror crashes over the past weeks that have involved children.
In one accident, an eight-year-old child was pulled from the wreckage of a vehicle and was lucky to survive, with the 40-year-old driver allegedly returning a positive breath test.
“I would describe that driver as being an irresponsible moron,” Mr Pangallo said of the crash. “I hope they throw the book at that driver.”
In another recent incident, a woman - who was pulled over for using her mobile phone while driving - allegedly blew six times the legal blood alcohol limit with two children under 16 years old in her car.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas offered his support for tougher laws in a press conference, saying, “I think it is perfectly reasonable for the law to discriminate between offenders who have children in the car or not. I think that’s a reasonable principle.”
Image credits: A Current Affair