Dangerous drivers warned as cars are crushed into scrap metal
A Volvo and a Holden are now scrap metal after their drivers’ appalling driving records forfeited them to the custody of SA Police.
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Two idiots repeatedly fined and convicted over dangerous behaviour behind the wheel have had their cars crushed into scrap metal.
A Volvo and Holden were crushed at SAR Metals Management, Wingfield, on Friday in what the State Government declared as an unapologetic warning ahead of national road safety week.
The vehicles, valued up to $8000, had been impounded by police and forfeited by the courts after their owners continued to flout the law and put innocent South Australians’ lives at risk.
The Volvo driver was caught five times over the past 10 years driving disqualified, drink-driving and drug-driving.
This was in addition to the 20 fines they were issued since January 2010 for speeding, running a red light, and driving unlicensed, unregistered and uninsured.
The Holden driver was caught drug-driving and driving while disqualified or suspended in the same 10-year period and continued to reoffend after they were convicted.
Road Safety Minister Vincent Tarzia said blatant disregard for the safety of law-abiding road users would not be tolerated.
“Choose to be an idiot behind the wheel and your car could be crushed to pieces,” he said.
“Sadly, this is what it takes to make some drivers realise their actions on South Australian roads have irreversible and tragic consequences.
“The crushing of these vehicles is nothing compared to the feeling that overcomes families when SA Police officers knock on the door to deliver the devastating news that a loved one has been killed or seriously injured in a road crash.
“Too often crashes are caused by reckless drivers. Lives lost and serious injuries can be prevented but we must all play our part.”
National road safety week runs from November 15-22 with the theme “Pledge to drive so others survive”.
More than 1200 lives are lost and a further 44,000 people are seriously injured on average every year across Australia.
In South Australia, road crash injury is the second biggest killer of people aged 15 to 24.
There have been 77 lives lost on the state’s roads so far in 2020, compared with 96 at the same time last year.
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