Drivers of extremely powerful cars in South Australia will have to obtain a new class of licence, the first of its kind in the country.
The training course for obtaining a class U driving licence, which is mandatory for drivers of ultra-high-power vehicles (UHPV) as of 1 December, began on Monday.
The licence category was created after the death of Sophia Naismith, a 15-year-old girl from Adelaide, who was hit and killed by a Lamborghini Huracan in 2019.
The interactive online course is designed to better educate drivers about the increased risks posed by these vehicles, including understanding the characteristics that differentiate them from regular vehicles and the specific laws related to UHPVs.
Drivers of extremely powerful cars in South Australia will have to obtain a new class of licence, the first of its kind in the country.
The course also highlights the danger of risky behaviour in powerful vehicles and the penalties for disabling driver assistance systems, with quizzes designed to reinforce vital road safety messages before a final assessment.
A UHPV is defined as any vehicle, other than a bus, motorcycle or motor tricycle, with a gross vehicle mass of up to 4.5 tonnes, that has a power-to-weight ratio of 276 kilowatts per tonne or more.
Holders of a full car driver’s license are eligible to obtain a Class U license.
Transport Minister Tom Koutsantonis said the government was forcing drivers to take responsibility and be aware of the additional risks that come with driving a UHPV.
“Given these risks, it is crucial that we can influence the behaviour of drivers, but also ensure that our authorities are empowered to prosecute people who endanger the lives of others,” he said.