Sarah’s law a step closer

TOUGHER laws for drivers who kill, including a possible “Sarah’s law” in memory of a pregnant mother killed by a teenage hoon, are a step closer after the sentencing body advising the State Government finalised it report.

Tasmania’s Sentencing Advisory Council met last week to sign off it’s final report on Sentencing of Driving Offences that Result in Death or Injury.

The Government has been awaiting the report before announcing changes to laws, which may include special provisions relating to offenders who kill others while evading police. Pregnant mother Sarah Paino, 24, was killed in January 2016 when a youth in a stolen SUV ploughed into her car, containing her two-year-old child, in Hobart’s CBD.

Despite her death surgeons were miraculously able to deliver her 34-week-term son, Caleb, while her other son Jordan was unharmed.

The 15-year-old who ploughed into her car at 100km/h was jailed for five years in August with the court hearing he had deliberately turned off his headlights before the crash.

Community outcry over the death sparked a campaign, including a 25,000 person petition, for law reform by way of a “Sarah’s law”.

Last month Police Minister Rene Hidding said the changes were under “active consideration”.

The report is also expected to recommend: AN increase in the maximum penalty for negligent driving causing death (currently one year for a first offence) or grievous bodily harm. RESTORATIVE justice conferencing involving face-toface meetings where offenders can see how their behaviour has affected victims. PUBLISHING sentencing remarks by the Magistrates Court. NO mandatory prison terms.

The council’s discussion paper released last year revealed Tasmania and South Australia had among the lowest maximum penalties for negligent driving causing death. The Government called for the report in response to what it said was community concerns about sentencing of drivers who kill or injure through dangerous driving.

Council chairman Aries Freiberg said the report would be released in April.