Rock hurlers face jail time

Rob Lockyear | 25th May 2009

THUGS caught throwing rocks at cars would now cop two years in jail whether they injure someone or not after a change to State Government laws.

Ipswich Councillor Paul Tully said rock-throwing from Ipswich's overpasses had been an ongoing and deadly problem since he came to the city 30 years ago.

He said more cases of this type of offence occurred at overpasses in built up areas on the Ipswich Motorway and Cunningham Highway than almost anywhere in Queensland.

"Once of the worst spots has been on the Cunningham Highway at the back of Blackstone," Mr Tully said.

"Hopefully this sends a message to people that this is a really stupid and dangerous thing to do."

He said new bridges and overpasses were being kitted out with security cameras and cages but very few people were getting caught.

He said more was needed to be done to catch the people in the act.

"All we will then need is for the local magistrates to impose stiff prison sentences and not just a slap over the wrist and send the offenders on their way," Cr Tully said.

Attorney-General Cameron Dick said the new laws created a specific offence that targeted endangering the safe use of a vehicle by rock throwing or a laser pointer.

"People who engage in this reckless behaviour can be sent to a jail, whether someone was hurt as a result of their actions or not," Mr Dick said.

"He said Queensland already had tough laws targeting people who threw rocks at cars with the intention of injuring or killing. But he said the new laws allowed police to charge offenders even if they could not prove intent.

"These laws send a strong message - throwing rocks at vehicles is never a joke," Mr Dick said.

"It is a serious offence which can now result in up to two years in jail."