Hundreds of drivers breaking speed limits by more than 45km/h

A driver and a rider have both been caught dizzying speeds as new figures reveal how many hoons are being busted in the highest range.

Police caught this speeding driver at more than 100km/h over the speed limit in the northern suburbs. Picture: SA Police

Hundreds of the state’s worst drivers have endangered lives on suburban streets in the last year by hooning at over 100km/h, even in school zones.

The shocking police figures show despite the speed limit of 60km/h on major urban roads, 105 drivers have broken the highest category of speeding recorded – more than 45km/h over the limit – with the highest more than 100km over the limit caught doing 161km/h.

The hoons attract a $1750 fine and loss of nine demerit points and police have warned they have a zero-tolerance to the crimes as the battle a spate of high-range infringement this week.

On Friday night a man was caught driving at more than 100km over the speed limit in the northern suburbs; 196km/h in a 90km/h zone.

And also on Friday a motorcyclist was clocked doing speeds in excess of 160km/h in an 80km/h zone along Main North Rd at Salisbury.

Police tracked this motorbike to a Craigmore address after allegedly clocking it at 160km/h in an 8km/h zone. Picture: Supplied by SA Police

And the hoons are also terrorising the suburbs on quieter suburban roads, with 62 driving at 45km/h over on roads with a 50km/h limit, the fastest 125km/h.

And even on what are supposed to be in the safest zones on suburban streets, with limits of less than 50km/h like school zones, 12 hoons were caught at up to 116km/h.

The latest figures are for the last financial year and show that in all speed zones 571 drivers were caught breaking the limit by 45km/h, but in some cases the speed zone is not recorded.

Officer in charge of traffic Superintendent Bob Gray reminded drivers that the highest range of speeding offences were the subject of zero-tolerance by officers.

“Police have a no-tolerance approach to dangerous and irresponsible driving. People who choose to drive their vehicle in a way that blatantly disregards their own safety, and importantly, the safety of other road users, deserve to be heavily penalised,” he said.

“Excessive speed and dangerous driving can lead to catastrophic outcomes and cause lifelong trauma to families and communities.

“These drivers need to know that they are not only risking lives but risking a hefty fine, having their car taken from them, losing their license via demerit points and being arrested.”

RAA spokesman Charles Mountain said drivers must be aware that all speed limits were set for a reason.

“The is particularly concerning because the lowest speed limits in metropolitan areas are deliberately to match the environment and road conditions in residential areas,’’ he said.

“You have pedestrians, cyclists, kids, parked vehicles nearby and it is incredibly irresponsible causing a high risk of crashes.

“In regional areas the problem is the speeds can already be high, and to go even higher means if you even make a small mistake there can be serious consequences.

Mr Mountain said the penalties for high range speeding were already substantial, ranging up to a hoon car being taken by police and even destroyed if there has been repeat offending.

“The penalties are high and these figures show people are being caught but there needs to be more to educate people about the consequences.

“Also people need to report this sort of behaviour when they see it because it is often repeated on the same roads.

“This gives police information to act on and helps provide that range of approaches.”

Many are also breaking the limit by 45km/h or more are drivers on country roads with limits of 80km/h, 100km/h and 110km/h.

The number of hoons for the 12 months caught at speeds up to 205km/h on these roads were; 84, 53, and 107 respectively.

The hoons were fined a total of $903,000 in the last financial year.

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