Independent MLC Frank Pangallo to introduce bill to impose tougher penalties on drivers caught speeding, drink driving with children in the car

Drivers caught behaving dangerously behind the wheel while a child is in their car will face tougher penalties, under proposed new laws to be introduced to state parliament.

Drivers caught speeding excessively, drink driving or drug driving while a child is in their car will face tougher penalties under proposed new laws to be introduced to state parliament.

Independent MLC Frank Pangallo has put forward the legislation as a measure to crack down on the rising number of motorists caught endangering children in their cars by behaving dangerously behind the wheel.

If passed, the laws would impose prison terms of up to three years and fines of up to $5000 for motorists found guilty of a range of aggravated driving offences while children younger than 16 are in the vehicle.

“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 said.

Independent MLC Frank Pangallo has put forward legislation imposing harsher penalties on people driving dangerously with kids in the car. Picture NCA NewsWire / Emma Brasier

“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.”

Mr Pangallo, who will introduce his bill to the upper house this week, said there had been two incidents in the past month where children’s lives had been put at risk because of reckless driving.

In one case, at Mitcham, a woman blew six times the legal blood alcohol limit with two children under 16 years old in her car. She had been pulled over by police for using her mobile phone.

In another, in regional SA, police and emergency services were called to a scene after a driver lost control of her car and crashed into a fence.

She returned a blood alcohol reading of 0.280 and was reported for drink driving and aggravated driving without due care.

A government spokesman said the bill will be assessed.

“We acknowledge Frank’s proposal designed to help further protect children on our roads, and we will give his proposed reforms due consideration,” he said.