June 14, 2018
The State Government passed new laws in Parliament on Wednesday to raise maximum penalties for driving offences which result in death or grievous bodily harm.
Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the government introduced the new laws following a review of existing penalties.
“Every life lost on Queensland roads is a tragedy and community concern has been heightened understandably following a number of incidents where Queenslanders have lost loved ones at the hands of careless or dangerous drivers,” Mr Bailey said.
“These incidents are tragic and I extend my sincere sympathies to everyone affected by them.
“After thorough consultation with stakeholders, including a number of families who have lost loved ones in road crashes, the government has passed legislation to significantly increase the penalties for certain driving offences resulting in death or grievous bodily harm.”
Mr Bailey said the new laws were in line with recommendations handed down by the State Coroner as a result of the inquest into the death of Audrey Ann Dow.
Ms Dow, 81, was killed in a head-on crash in 2013 in Mackay when a disqualified driver crossed the centre line and collided with her vehicle.
Her family began a campaign for the creation of a new charge, midway between the lesser count of “careless driving” and the harder-to-prove “dangerous driving causing death”.
“I want to thank Audrey’s family and many other families who during their time of grief brought about a campaign for change to help other families from being in the tragic circumstances they found themselves,” Mr Bailey said.
The legal changes include two new offences of careless driving causing death or grievous bodily harm, and careless driving causing death or grievous bodily harm while unlicensed.
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Careless Driving
- Current max penalty – $5046 or 6 months jail (3 demerit points). No minimum licence disqualification period.
New Offences – Careless Driving causing death or GBH
- New max penalty – $10,092 or 12 months jail (3 demerit points) + minimum licence disqualification period of at least 6 months.
- New max penalty (with circumstances of aggravation – unlicensed) – $20, 184 or 2 years imprisonment (3 demerit points) + minimum licence disqualification of at least 6 months.
Dangerous Driving causing death or GBH
- Current max penalty – 10 years jail + minimum licence disqualification period 6 months
- New max penalty – 10 years jail + minimum licence disqualification period of at least 12 months
- Current max penalty (with circumstances of aggravation) – 14 years jail + minimum licence disqualification period 6 months
- New max penalty (with circumstances of aggravation) – 14 years jail + minimum licence disqualification period of at least 12 months.
