< back to Sandra's blogDay 634 – Why do they get to keep their driver’s licence?

In South Australia they have just passed new legislation that means your driver’s licence is automatically dismissed if you get caught drink driving. I’m not quite sure why you are allowed to keep your licence when you kill someone (until it may or may not be revoked at the trial – two and a half years later!!!!).

Julie McIntyre called me today after I left a note on her son’s shrine. Lee, her son was killed this year. She is extremely distressed and the first Christmas without Lee is fast approaching. My forecast is that it will be a nightmare.

Written on 04 Dec 2005
Over 8 years since incident
Tags: drivers license, legislation

Tribute pin

Comments

Joe & Giro Raphael | 10 Jun 2010

Sandra, I agree that if they kill someone it should be revoked immediatly . To wait for a trial is just insane .

In our case I dont think the driver should have had a licence in the first place due to his visual disability . But the trial outcome was “not guilty” so the driver gets to be back on the road without penalty or loss of licence.

I have been led believe that there will be new laws passed shortly giving the Police Comissioner the right to cancell an offenders licence for life .

Lets hope that this happens .

Regards Joe Raphael

Julie McIntyre | 16 Jun 2010

Sandra I just realized how much you documented I am glad you did. The problem with the legal system is that when a person kills the law protects the offenders.

Someone dies because of a wannabe racer.

The wannabe exercises his legal rights to silence.
The wannabe employs a lawyer who tells him, dont apologise before the trial.
The wannabe is granted bail and is free to drive until his court date.
The wannabe chooses a judge or jury.
The wannabe decides if he wants to give evidence in the courtroom.
The wannabe chooses to deny what is morally just and so avoids penalty.
A wannabe believes that they didnt mean to kill so we should forgive.
A wannabe should lose their license for life. In contrast its a small price to pay compared to the loss of a loved one.

jes | 12 Nov 2010

I’d buy that I reckon. Why not, give it a whirl.

Lots of people can’t drive for less significant reasons than causing a fatality.

Is that the key word though, causing. The allocation of blame as deemed by whom? And when. Or just any driver surviving a fatal collision loses their licence until the police or courts deem them not to be at fault.

What if Bill hadn’t been seriously injured but Andrea had died. Would Bill lose his licence until the coroner made a ruling?

Andriena Stroud | 27 Aug 2011

I too question why they keep a license….

The driver that killed my husband and daughter is still driving 2 trucks and working them??

He has just been committed to stand trial next year……and he will be on the road at least until then!!

Andriena Stroud | 27 Aug 2011

I too question why they keep a license….

The driver that killed my husband and daughter is still driving 2 trucks and working them??

He has just been committed to stand trial next year……and he will be on the road at least until then!!

If you log in, you will be able to add comments here.