South Australia Police sent a powerful message to road users today with the public crushing of a car involved in an extreme speeding incident in January 2023.
The Holden Commodore ute was publicly crushed this morning to demonstrate that extreme speeding on South Australian roads is not tolerated.
The 20-year-old L-Plate driver was convicted for driving at an extreme speed of 253 k/ph, driving in a dangerous manner, breach of learner's permit, driving an unregistered motor vehicle and drug driving. His vehicle was impounded, crushed into scrap and sold, with proceeds forwarded to Victims of Crime Compensation Fund.
After an application from police, the Magistrates Court ordered the forfeiture of the driver's vehicle in July, 2023. The driver has been sentenced to prison for one year, four months and 28 days. Following his release, the driver will be disqualified from driving indefinitely.
"This is what motorists driving at extreme speed on our roads can face – jail, having your vehicle crushed and sold for scrap metal and a disqualification from driving," said officer in charge of Traffic Services Branch, Superintendent Darren Fielke.
"This is a warning for all motorists – be responsible on our roads. It will save lives, keep you out of jail and you'll be able to keep driving your vehicle."
"The behaviour of every motorist impacts the safety of every other road user. Road trauma has catastrophic effects on families and communities and we cannot tolerate drivers who blatantly disregard that responsibility."
Minister for Police Joe Szakacs said, "South Australia's new laws have more serious penalties for dangerous drivers.
"These measures are necessary to protect dangerous drivers from other drivers on our roads and from themselves.
"Hooning is not an innocent act. A stark reminder of this fact is seen in the State's road toll."
There have been 74 lives lost on South Australian roads so far this year with 46 lives lost at the same time last year.
An amendment to 19ADA to the Criminal Law Act in 2021 empowers a Magistrate to disqualify or suspend a driver's licence sentence and sentence a driver to term of imprisonment for basic and aggravated offences between 3 to 5 years.
Section 20 of the Criminal Law (Clamping, Impounding and Forfeiture of Vehicles) Act 2007, empowers the Police Commissioner with making the decision regarding the method of disposal of vehicles forfeited by the court. This includes the option to sell or crush a vehicle.
The public crushing of the car should be seen as a deterrent for other road users.
The public crushing of the car was held today at Sar Metal Management, Wingfield at 10:00am.
