The driver, who torched a car to destroy evidence of the latest in a very long list of traffic infringements, will likely be out of jail within months.

Joshua Alexander Scott had been behind the wheel of his girlfriend’s car in March last year when he ran a red light near Chermside shopping centre, striking 72-year-old Ian Colwell on his early morning walk.

Instead of stopping the tradie drove off, setting fire to the car dangerously close to a home in a callous cover-up attempt.

He planned to report it as stolen, concocting a false alibi at work, but came clean to his boss later that day.

The offending was described in court as “callous” and his driving history “deplorable” – Scott had racked up 46 prior driving convictions, including 29 for speeding.

He told police he was “daydreaming, just cruising” when he hit Colwell, a former school principal and army veteran.

Scott was sentenced to five years in jail, but he can apply for parole as early as November.

Once out, he is banned from applying for a Queensland driver’s licence unless he gets special permission.