Now that is interesting, but it seems to diminish the severity of the crime!
It certainly does, always resulting in a slap on the wrist.
Our legalists argue there was no, nor can you prove, intent was to steal, because they were joyriding and would abandon the vehicle at the end of their fun. Sometimes smashed up, damaged or even burnt.
Whilst we are slavishly following the USA in some areas, we should follow them in Vehicular Offences, such as car chases. Queensland police are not allowed to chase cars because someone my get hurt, yes the poor sod being chased might be injured.
In a very recent chase armed bandits who damaged innocent drivers by crashing into them fled across the border to New South Wales. Fortunately the NSW Cops were alerted and gave chase forcing them into deployed road spikes which blew their tyres.
All over red Rover and handed them over to Queensland cops.