Drivers fined after alleged beach joyride with unrestrained children in ute tray

Two drivers have been fined after allegedly hooning on a busy SA beach with multiple children unrestrained in the tray of one of the vehicles.

Furious onlookers filmed with their phones as three vehicles allegedly sped across the sand and in the shallows of the water at North Beach, Wallaroo yesterday evening.

In one of the utes, eight children were seen clinging onto the back tray – completely unrestrained.

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The three vehicles raced along the water's edge for 10 minutes, passing close to other beachgoers, including children playing in the water.

Fearing for their safety, two fed-up locals eventually walked out in front of one of the cars demanding they leave - which they eventually did.

"Sometimes a child can be hard to see in the water and bob up much too late for someone to stop and it could have been a really tragic day," witness Roslyn told 9News.

"This is an unusual occurrence, and it's really pleasing that our community called these people out."

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A police report was made and officers caught up with two of the drivers this morning in Port Hughes.

A 29-year-old Para Hills man was fined more than $1300 for offences including having multiple children not wearing a seatbelt and riding in part of a vehicle not for people and he also copped five demerit points.

Another 29-year-old from Victoria was hit with a $287 fine for driving a vehicle without proper control.