New penalties for assaults on SA drivers

People who assault bus, train and tram drivers and other public transport workers in South Australia face a maximum 25-year jail term under new laws to come into force on Friday.

The state government has lifted penalties for a range of offences, including assaults and endangering life, by 50 per cent in response to a spate of attacks on bus drivers across Adelaide.

"Every worker deserves to feel safe in their workplace. There is absolutely no justification for violence anywhere on our public transport network," Transport Minister Stephen Mullighan said.