SA Police catch almost 4400 drivers taking risks with kids in the car

New police figures have revealed thousands of South Australian drivers are putting the lives of child passengers at risk through dangerous and irresponsible behaviour.

• First-hand look at how SA police carry out alcohol breath-testing

Dangerous drivers are putting child passengers’ lives at risk by getting behind the wheel while under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or failing to ensure youngsters are properly restrained.

Latest police figures analysed by The Advertiser reveal almost 4400 motorists were caught in the past two years flouting the law while children aged under 16 were in the car.

This includes a 305 per cent increase in the number of drivers who returned positive drug or alcohol tests.

Senior police say the decision of drivers – some of whom were only detected after being involved in a crash – to place vulnerable road users at risk is unacceptable.

Police Minister Corey Wingard described driving under the influence with children in the car as “inexcusable”.

A school road safety blitz conducted earlier this week resulted in eight drivers testing positive to either methamphetamine or cannabis while dropping off children.

Police officers conduct random breath test on Port Wakefield Road in Mawson Lakes. Picture: Tom Huntley

And, last month, in one of the more shocking cases of irresponsible driving, an unlicensed van driver was caught with methamphetamine in his system while transporting another adult and five children.

The 37-year-old Birkenhead man was reported for driving unlicensed and driving under the influence and will appear in court at a later date.

RAA Road Safety senior manager Charles Mountain said it was worrying that any motorist would put a child passenger at risk.

“It’s also extremely concerning the police figures show that motorists are putting youngsters at risk with irresponsible and dangerous driving,’’ he told The Advertiser.

“Children rely on parents and caregivers to keep them safe and that of course includes when they are in a vehicle.

“Drivers must realise that driving illegally under the influence of alcohol or drugs puts themselves, their passengers and other road users at risk of crashing with potentially catastrophic consequences.’’

Harsher penalties for drug-driving offences were introduced last year.

Minimum licence disqualifications for drivers who elect to go to court and are convicted doubled from three months to six months. Repeat drug drivers were also hit with increased bans.

The police fines data shows that, while child seatbelt offences dropped from 2223 in 2017-18 to 1797 in 2018-19, drink and drug driving with passengers aged under 16 increased from 69 to 280 – 305 per cent – over the same period.

A further 17 drivers refused to submit breath tests for drugs or alcohol. Police caught 25 qualified supervisors and passengers – who were teaching learner drivers – under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The figures also show that, over the two-year period, 966 learner, provisional and probational drivers tested positive to either methamphetamine, cannabis, MDMA or a combination of drugs. This compares with 469 motorists whose licence conditions prohibited them from driving with any alcohol in their system.

Harsher penalties for drug-driving offences were introduced last year. Picture: Tom Huntley

Traffic Support Branch officer-in-charge Superintendent Bob Gray said police were concerned about motorists placing themselves and other road users at risk.

“It is unacceptable that some drivers still make the conscious decision to not only put their own lives at risk but also the lives of other road users including vulnerable passengers, by drink and drug driving,” Supt Gray said.

“In many cases, drug drivers understand the risk associated with their behaviour but make a deliberate decision to drive in any case.”

Mr Wingard said drivers who chose to flout the law would be rightfully condemned by the law-abiding community.

“Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol at any time is just dumb and dangerous and to choose to do so while children are in the car is just inexcusable,” he said.