The Premier of South Australia, Peter Malinauskas, has revealed the government will draft new legislation aimed at supercar owners.
In a press release, the Premier’s office said the proposed legislation would establish a “new licensing scheme for motorists who want to drive elite high-powered super sports cars.” In order to obtain a license to drive one, owners would be “required to comply with specific training and other requirements, similar to motorcycle and truck licenses.”
Furthermore, the legislation is slated to call for banning defeatable traction control systems in high-powered vehicles. It also aims at “strengthening laws, which ban drivers accused of killing a person from holding a license until their case is resolved.”
Also Watch: Australian Police Seize Nissan Silvia After Driver Filmed Hooning
The State Government is set to bring new laws to Parliament which will target drivers of high powered sports cars.
The changes prompted by Sophia Naismith's family, who lost their daughter when she was struck and killed by a Lamborghini driver. @ainsleykoch #9News pic.twitter.com/o0KyZBw8lp
— 9News Adelaide (@9NewsAdel) August 20, 2022
The Premier’s office went on to say the South Australia Police and the Attorney General’s office will work together on exploring “proposed changes to the Criminal Law Consolidation Act relating to a death occurring because of unacceptable driver behavior.”
The move comes after the death of Sophia Naismith, which ABC says was killed after being struck by a Lamborghini outside a Chinese restaurant in 2019. The driver of the car, Alexander Campbell, pled guilty to driving without due care but was recently acquitted of death by dangerous driving.
Following her death, Naismith’s parents became activists pushing for driving reforms and Malinauskas said, “I want to thank Pia and Luke for their advocacy, and I hope these reforms will prevent such a tragedy from happening to another family.” He added, “I have directed relevant government agencies to immediately commence drafting legislation and I hope that the Parliament will support these important reforms.”
The legislation is slated to be introduced to Parliament by the end of the year and Malinauskas is already expecting a “degree of resistance” from supercar owners. That being said, there appears to be bipartisan support for some reforms, so change could be coming.
H/T to Drive
Our Government will introduce reforms to road safety laws, following advocacy from the family of Sophia Naismith.
Every South Australian following the tragic loss of Sophia Naismith cannot help but admire the courage shown by her parents and family. pic.twitter.com/stLOhdYBLj
— Peter Malinauskas (@PMalinauskasMP) August 20, 2022