Road rule reform to be introduced in SA, after campaign by Sophia Naismith's family
Sophia Naismith's family, who campaigned for reform, welcomed the changes. (ABC News: Che Chorley)
New laws in South Australia will introduce a licence class for people who drive ultra high-powered vehicles.
The move, alongside a new class of offence for causing death or serious harm by careless use of a motor vehicle or vessel, was in response to the death of Sophia Naismith, 15, who was killed after she was hit by a Lamborghini in 2019.
"If you drive an ultra high-powered vehicle, you need to go through training to have that accredited on your licence," said Attorney-General Kyam Maher.
An ultra high-powered vehicle has been defined as one with a power-to-weight ratio of 276 kilowatts per tonne or higher.
Mr Maher said there were about 200 makes of vehicle covered by the law.
Sophia was killed when she was hit by a Lamborghini in Adelaide's south-west. (Instagram)
He said the new licence class will be in place "as soon as we possibly can, but certainly in the coming months".
The Naismith family campaigned for the law changes and welcomed the state government's decision.
"The reforms won't bring Sophia back but it will make drivers more accountable for their anti-social behaviour and it will reduce some of the trauma of families navigating the legal system," said her father, Luke Naismith.
"Everyone has the right to get home safe, every day without exception.
"This strong approach will help with prevention but it will also ensure this type of behaviour has accountability and is punishable.
"Road safety impacts our community."
Sophia was walking with a friend in 2019 when the pair were hit by a Lamborghini. (Supplied)
Sophia Naismith and a friend were walking along Morphett Road in the Adelaide suburb of Glengowrie in June 2019 when they were struck by a Lamborghini driven by Alexander Campbell.
Sophia was killed while her friend was injured.
Campbell was found not guilty of causing death by dangerous driving but pleaded guilty to aggravated driving without due care.
In October last year, he was handed a suspended sentence of four months and 27 days, ordered to complete 200 hours of community service and his driver's licence was suspended.
The new laws will provide a mid-tier charge between causing death by dangerous driving and driving without due care.
Luke Naismith says the reforms will make "drivers more accountable for their anti-social behaviour". (ABC News: Che Chorley)
"The maximum penalty for causing someone's death after driving without due care was only 12 months," Mr Maher explained.
"This penalty is now seven years."
He said the Department of Transport and police will work through the process for people to apply for a licence to drive an ultra high-powered vehicle.
But the new sentencing options will be in place within days.
"If there's a case already ongoing, this won't affected by these laws," Mr Maher said.
The suite of changes also includes a new offence for disabling automated safety systems on ultra high-powered vehicles, which will attract a fine of up to $5,000.
"Sophia's life and our future with Sophia was taken because of the selfish actions of those drivers on that night," Mr Naismith said.
"We encourage anybody who might witness anti-social, dangerous driving to call Crime Stoppers."