Family puts spotlight on dangerous drivers
New campaign wants reckless motorists to face stiffer penalties
MEMBERS of a Far Northern family who lost a loved one in a crash are throwing their support behind a bid by the State Government to increase penalties against drivers in similar situations.
A statewide petition has been launched, calling on authorities to address what proponents say is a gap in legislation involving offenders charged with careless driving which result in someone’s death.
Fisherman and father-ofthree Laurence Sommerville, 48, died after he was hit by a Nissan X-Trail which turned in front of his Harley-Davidson on McGregor Rd at Smithfield two years ago.
The X-Trail’s 35-year-old driver Ijah Roy Warburton of Palm Cove was handed just a three-month suspended sentence in the Cairns Magistrates Court earlier this year and lost his licence for six months after pleading guilty to driving without due care and attention.
Mr Sommerville’s family said at the time they felt let down by the justice system over the sentence.
His sister Michelle Sommerville has now spoken out in support of calls to increase the maximum penalties in circumstances where careless driving causes death or serious injury.
“If we can do it for other families, so they can feel a little bit of justice, that’s important.
“It’s hard enough to lose someone in those circumstances, but I just regard it as an insult not to have a law in place.”
Under the proposed changes, the maximum penalty would be increased from six months jail to 12 months, or two years in aggravated circumstances. A minimum licence disqualification of six months would also be enforced.
The proposal came about after the motorist who caused the death of siblings Sarah and Daniel Walker at Tiaro in April was handed a $3000 fine and three-month license loss.
Ms Sommerville said their family had reached out to the Walkers earlier this year and were supporting a public petition they were spearheading to have the penalties increased.
Sign the petition at http://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/work-of-assembly/petitions/petition-details?id=2834.