New driving laws in honour of Sophia Naismith will come into effect from January 1

Four years after Sophia Naismith was killed by a Lamborghini when it slid off the road, landmark laws dubbed “Sophia’s Law” in her honour will come into effect.

Deficient driving laws that allowed careless motorists to escape serious penalties for causing the death of innocent people on South Australian roads will change from January 1.

Dubbed “Sophia’s Law”, the driving and boating legislation will come into effect more than four years after a crash that killed Adelaide teenager Sophia Naismith, 15, who was struck and killed by a high-powered Lamborghini sports car on Morphett Rd at Glengowrie.

The driver, Alexander Campbell, was sentenced to a suspended jail term of four months and 27 days after admitting to driving without due care.

The laws have been dubbed “Sophia’s Law” in honour of Sophia Naismith. Supplied by Family

Sophia Naismith was killed by a Lamborghini when it slid off the road. Supplied by Family

Tributes at the scene where Sophia was struck and killed. Picture: Tricia Watkinson

He was acquitted of cause death by dangerous driving.

The sentence exposed legal loopholes Sophia’s family campaigned to have changed, including preventing drivers of ultra high-powered vehicles from disabling an automated system.

That is now an offence punishable by a fine of up to $5000.

Attorney-General Kyam Maher said the “loss of any life on our roads is a tragedy”.

“And we are seeking to do everything in our power to ensure that those responsible are brought to justice,” he said.

“The new offence will give authorities greater flexibility when considering charges against those whose careless behaviour has a devastating, irreversible effect on others.

“At a time when our road toll is unacceptably high, these laws will send a clear message to all road users that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour on our roads.”

Sophia’s Law includes a new offence of causing death or serious harm by careless use of a vehicle or vessel that comes with a jail term of up to seven years for an aggravated offence, and licence disqualification of at least three years.

A basic offence under the law comes with a five-year jail term and 12 month licence disqualification.

Police will also have greater powers to suspend a driver’s licence on the spot when they are involved in a serious crash.

Further reforms that will introduce a new licence class for ultra high-powered vehicles will be introduced later in 2024.