Parliament approves tougher penalties for dangerous driving

State Parliament has unanimously supported tougher maximum jail terms for people convicted of dangerous driving offences, Attorney-General and Justice Minister Kerry Shine said.

Mr Shine said the maximum penalty for dangerous driving causing death or serious injury will be increased from seven to 10 years’ jail. The maximum penalty will be up to 14 years where the offender was adversely affected by drugs or alcohol, speeding excessively, involved in unlawful racing or speed trials, or leaves the scene of the offence before police arrive.

More serious cases of dangerous driving causing death will still be charged as manslaughter, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Mr Shine said the new provisions provided for significantly tougher penalties where the prosecution proved the offender was engaged in excessive speeding, street racing or time trialling.

“This legislation means those people who treat our roads as race tracks will soon face up to five years jail, instead of the current three years,” he said.

“If their dangerous driving results in someone being killed or seriously injured, these amendments will effectively double the maximum jail term, from seven to 14 years.

Mr Shine said there had been a number of cases involving hit-and-run offences in recent years, where pedestrians and cyclists had been left dead or seriously injured.

“Hit-and-run offences show a lack of compassion and remorse.

“These amendments mean offenders will now face up to seven more years in jail if they leave the scene of an accident where someone has been killed or seriously injured as a result of their dangerous driving.”

Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Mr Shine’s office) 3239 6400 or 0418 197 350 kirby.anderson@ministerial.qld.gov.au

Current legislation maximum prison terms

·Dangerous driving – three years

·Dangerous driving, if repeat offender or affected by an intoxicating substance – five years

·Dangerous driving causing death or serious injury – seven years

·Dangerous driving causing death or serious injury, if offender affected by an intoxicating substance – 10 years

·Dangerous driving causing death or serious injury, if offender is over the high alcohol limit of 0.15% – 14 years

New legislation maximum prison terms

·Dangerous driving – three years

·Dangerous driving, if repeat offender or affected by an intoxicating substance or excessively speeding, racing or time trialling – five years

·Dangerous driving causing death or serious injury – ten years

·Dangerous driving causing death or serious injury, if offender is affected by an intoxicating substance or excessively speeding, racing or time trialling or leaves the scene before police arrive – 14 years