Drivers who break law with kids in car to be hit by harsh penalties

Motorists with young children in their car caught driving recklessly or with drugs and alcohol in their system could soon face up to three years behind bars in South Australia.

The push for the new laws comes from a series of recent incidents, including a case where a six-year-old child was in the back seat of a car that careened off the road, flipped, and crashed. 

"I think the community is sick and tired of seeing moronic behaviour by adult drivers putting not only their lives at risk but also the lives of young children," state MP Frank Pangello said.

READ MORE: Combination flu and COVID jab being trialled at Aussie hospital

If passed, the laws would see motorists found guilty facing a three-year prison sentence and fines of up to $5000.

The proposed bill will be introduced to parliament this week, and already has the support of Premier Peter Malinauskas.

"I think it is perfectly reasonable for the law to discriminate between offenders who have children in the car or not," he said. 

"I think that's a reasonable principle."

This article was produced with the assistance of 9ExPress.