Hoon drivers caught at record levels endangering motorists on South Australian roads

Their dangerous behaviour is risking the lives of SA motorists and now new figures reveal hoons are being caught at record levels.

Selfish and irresponsible hoon drivers are being caught at record levels endangering the lives of innocent South Australian motorists, shocking figures reveal.

Latest SA Police statistics show 3174 drivers were caught travelling at least 30km/h above the limit – including 637 clocked speeding 45km/h or more – on the state’s roads last year.

Road safety authorities have condemned the abhorrent and dangerous behaviour, which has increased more than 10 per cent since 2017.

The State Government says it is working closely with police to review and consider proposals to address unsafe driving.

Police Commissioner Grant Stevens this month declared hoon drivers should be treated as major criminals and receive harsher penalties for endangering lives.

“I’d compare it to someone who fires a gun down Rundle Mall. We’d be taking severe action against those people, charging them with attempted murder or acting to endanger life,” he said.

His comments came after vision of a motorcyclist – who tested positive to methamphetamine – riding at 200km/h along the North South Motorway, Dry Creek, on February 1.

The police figures show the number of hoons caught speeding by 45km/h or more has surged 35 per cent from 472 in 2017 to 637 last year.

Those clocked at between 30km/h and 44km/h above the limit also increased from 2403 to 2537 over the same four-year period.

A motorcyclist is tracked by the police helicopter speeding through Dry Creek before his arrest at Angle Vale. Picture: SA Police

Traffic Services Branch officer-in-charge Superintendent Bob Gray said police would not tolerate hoon driving and offenders would be dealt with accordingly.

“People who knowingly and deliberately drive in a manner that risks lives are committing a selfish, abhorrent act,” Superintendent Gray said.

“Holding a driver’s licence is a privilege that brings with it a responsibility to drive to the road rules that are in place for everyone’s safety.”

Among the worst speeding offences recorded in the past week alone include:

A DISQUALIFIED drink-driver, 41, caught travelling at 200km/h in a 110km/h zone – with a blood-alcohol level of 0.126 – on Sturt Highway, Daveyston, on February 14.

A P-PLATER clocked 67km/h above the 100km/h speed limit on Thiele Highway, Kingsford, on February 14.

A YOUNG man, 21, caught travelling at 162km/h in a 100km/h zone on Thiele Highway, Kapunda, on February 13.

A 63-YEAR-OLD woman clocked 50km/h above the 110km/h speed limit on Barrier Highway, Manna Hill, in the state’s Far North on February 12.

Police on February 14 also tracked down a learner motorcyclist, 20, who was caught travelling at 124km/h in a 50km/h zone on Military Road, West Beach, on January 19.

Drivers caught speeding between 30km/h and 44km/h receive a $1590 fine and seven demerit points as of January 1 this year.

This increases to $1780 and nine demerit points – and an automatic six-month licence disqualification – for those clocked 45km/h or more above the limit.

RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain said it was not safe for anyone to travel at high speeds regardless of whether modern vehicles had the capability.

“If you make a mistake when travelling so fast above the speed limit it will almost certainly cost you your life and it puts the lives of other road users at great risk,’’ Mr Mountain said.

“This behaviour is extremely reckless and irresponsible with no regard for the driver’s safety or any other road users.”

Mr Mountain said vehicles doing 100km/h travelled at almost 28m a second and covered a total distance of 42m before a driver’s reaction – typically 1.5 seconds – took effect.

He said total stopping distance of a vehicle travelling 100km/h on a dry road was about 90m.

“When doing 130km/h, the car travels 36m every second and it covers 54m before you react,” Mr Mountain said.

“Total stopping distance dramatically increases to nearly 140m or an additional 10 car lengths or two B-doubles.’’

Police Minister Vincent Tarzia said the figures showed “speeding drivers will be caught”.

He said the Transport Department was working closely with SA Police to review and consider proposals to address unsafe driving behaviour.

“It is disappointing that some drivers still make a conscious decision to speed knowing their actions could destroy lives and ruin families,” Mr Tarzia said.

“A moment of madness behind the wheel or on a motorcycle can cause irreversible damage that lasts a lifetime.”

A learner rider, 20, had his motorcycle impounded for travelling at 124km/h in a 50km/h zone on Military Road at West Beach. Picture: SA Police