Law takes aim at roadside missiles

Hurling something at a vehicle can now be punished by up to five years' jail in South Australia, after a spate of recent incidents mirroring those in New Zealand.

Tough new laws passed by the South Australian parliament yesterday make it a specific offence to throw a missile at a vehicle. The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' jail.

The move came days after Transit New Zealand announced it would build fences on two Auckland motorway overbridges, at a cost of $70,000 each, to stop people throwing things at vehicles below.

South Australian Attorney General Michael Atkinson said the new laws should act as a warning to people to give up such cowardly acts. "This is a clear warning to these dangerous idiots to stop this madness," he said.

"Not only are you endangering the lives of others by your recklessness, but you are facing a long stint in prison to contemplate your stupidity.

"They should also remember that if the missile strikes someone they could be facing an even more serious charge, such as endangering life or even attempted murder."

Rock-throwers recently targeted buses on Adelaide's O'Bahn guided busway and motorists on the Southern Expressway. A man was seriously injured when a rock crashed through his car windscreen and hit his head.

Last August, Taupo man Chris Currie, 32, died when an 8kg concrete block thrown from an Auckland motorway overbridge hit his car.

The teenager alleged to have thrown it was charged with murder and is due to stand trial next month.

Auckland police said that since Mr Currie died, more than 50 items, including stones, rocks, cans, pieces of wood and bottles, had been thrown from motorway overbridges and hit passing vehicles.

- NZPA