Thousands of SA motorists caught driving while disqualified

The shocking number of motorists caught driving disqualified can be revealed – and a staggering amount are flouting the law on multiple occasions.

A dangerous motorist busted driving while disqualified a shocking 43 times in just 12 months is among almost 39,000 banned drivers caught across South Australia over the past five years.

SA Police documents obtained by The Advertiser reveal more than 7500 drivers were repeat offenders – some six times or more – despite being ordered off the road.

Authorities have condemned the selfish and irresponsible behaviour, while the state’s leading victims’ rights advocate has questioned the effectiveness of penalties handed down to recidivists who continually risk the lives of innocent road users.

A motorist caught driving while disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver’s licence faces a maximum six-month jail term, which increases to two years for a subsequent offence.

Figures obtained under Freedom of Information laws show 38,759 motorists were detected driving disqualified – at an average of 21 a day – from July 2015 to June 2020.

There were 6750 drivers arrested or reported between two and five times and a further 1039 six times or more during the five-year period.

SA Best MLC Frank Pangallo, who obtained the figures, said the number of disqualified drivers was “totally outrageous and quite frankly should anger the community”.

“These reckless idiots are on par with hoon drivers and are putting innocent drivers at risk and they must be punished,” Mr Pangallo said.

“How can thousands of disqualified motorists be caught multiple times and get away with it?

“For one driver to be caught 43 times in just 12 months is a flagrant disregard for the law and proves our system is failing us and the police who catch them.”

Mr Pangallo said he would meet with SA Police to discuss the issue and determine how the State Government intended to address “this blatant and dangerous activity”.

“It’s evident our laws are not tough enough when it comes to dealing with disqualified drivers who serially offend when they shouldn’t be on the road. They should be locked up,” he said.

“We now need to consider tougher penalties for the worst serial offenders as well as confiscating vehicles and property.”

Disqualified driver Akol Agiu Akol was jailed for a crash that killed nursing student Bor Mabil, the sister of Socceroo Awer Mabil, at Andrews Farm in January 2019. Picture: Brenton Edwards.

Victims’ Rights Commissioner Bronwyn Killmier said disqualified drivers were showing “a blatant disregard for the safety of other people”.

“Victims have concerns about the number of drive disqualified offences, particularly repeat offenders who continue to drive when they should not,” Ms Killmier said.

“Their licence has been disqualified for a reason but it appears there is little punishment for those who continue to drive putting lives at risk.”

Ms Killmier said research showed unlicensed and disqualified drivers were considered a high-risk group for car crash injuries. “Driving is a privilege not a right,” she said.

“This is not a victimless offence – ask the victims whose loved one has been killed or harmed by someone who has selfishly continued driving despite repeated warnings or convictions.

“More effective penalties that can be enforced need to be given for repeat offenders as the damage they cause and the disregard for others in continuing to drive is obvious.

“There must be a way to keep persistent traffic offenders off the road.”

The police figures also reveal the worst offenders over the past five years. One driver was caught 43 times in just 12 months, while another was nabbed 35 times over the five-year period.

A further 11 motorists were detected driving disqualified between 22 and 27 times.

Traffic Services Branch officer-in-charge Superintendent Bob Gray said police took driving disqualified “very seriously” and vowed to catch “selfish and irresponsible” motorists.

“Holding a driver’s licence is a privilege that carries with it a responsibility to drive in a manner that does not endanger lives,” Superintendent Gray said.

“If someone has their licence disqualified it is an indication that they are not capable of managing that responsibility and that they are a danger to themselves and other road users.

“These people are often the same ones who think they are above the law and can therefore continue to drive once they have been stripped of that privilege.”

RAA safety and infrastructure senior manager Charles Mountain said: “The number of motorists repeatedly being caught driving disqualified is alarming.”

“It’s concerning because they have originally lost their licence for engaging in dangerous behaviour such as speeding, high-level driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs or both.”

Mr Mountain said there were potentially “terrible consequences” for other road users who may be involved in a crash caused by a disqualified driver’s behaviour.

Road Safety Minister Vincent Tarzia said the State Government’s road safety strategy to 2031 would investigate additional measures to address defiant road users.

“The number of road users ignoring their driving disqualification is unsettling,” he said.

“All drivers have a responsibility to follow the rules if not for their own safety but for the safety of others.”