Little boy lives on in 'Jet's law'
Published Sunday, 08 June, 2008 at 09:56 AM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
The State Government will honour the memory of a toddler tragically killed in a road crash in 2004 by naming legislation after the little boy in a first for Queensland legislation.
In November 2004 a driver who was suffering an epileptic fit hit the car of 22-month-old Jet Rowland’s mother’s killing the toddler.
Medical Condition Reporting Legislation introduced after the tragedy will now be named “Jet’s Law” in recognition of the little boy whose death inspired the laws.
The legislation - which means drivers with medical conditions must report that condition to Queensland Transport - will also be enhanced as part of the move.
Under the new measures Queensland Transport can inform a person’s doctor that they have registered their condition, closing a loophole that existed under the previous legislation.
Premier Anna Bligh said more than 1450 casualties were recorded as a result of crashes involving drivers and riders with medical conditions in Queensland between July 2001 and July 2006.
“There are still those who don’t advise Queensland Transport of their conditions despite the advice of their doctors,” she said.
“This new process ensures health professionals are notified by Queensland Transport when their patients advise of medical conditions.
“This improved “Jet’s Law” will close that loophole. Doctors will now know who has or hasn’t provided information and they can take appropriate action.”
The Premier said the amendments were developed after extensive consultation with state health professionals.
She said “Jet’s Law” will be the first piece of legislation in Queensland to take the name of the person who inspired it.
“Jet’s death was a tragic accident. The impact killed Jet, severely injured his mother Anita Rowland and left his brother Bailey confined to a wheelchair,” she said.
“I hope that this decision to name the legislation after little Jet gives some comfort to his mother Anita who I know has lobbied for this measure.
“We can never bring Jet back but I am confident that the law his short life inspired has already saved other lives.”
Since the legislation was introduced more than 121,000 notifications have been received.
Before the legislation was introduced drivers were only legally required to report a medical condition when they obtained or renewed a licence.
Transport Minister John Mickel said Anita Rowland had lobbied his Department to change the name of the legislation to help raise awareness of reporting medical conditions.
"The Queensland Government felt it was appropriate to accept Ms Rowland's request to rename the legislation in honour of Jet to remind people of the tragic circumstances which can occur,” he said.
Under the law medical conditions which should be reported to QT include dementia, stroke, epilepsy, sleeping disorders and angina.
Premiers (07) 32244500
In November 2004 a driver who was suffering an epileptic fit hit the car of 22-month-old Jet Rowland’s mother’s killing the toddler.
Medical Condition Reporting Legislation introduced after the tragedy will now be named “Jet’s Law” in recognition of the little boy whose death inspired the laws.
The legislation - which means drivers with medical conditions must report that condition to Queensland Transport - will also be enhanced as part of the move.
Under the new measures Queensland Transport can inform a person’s doctor that they have registered their condition, closing a loophole that existed under the previous legislation.
Premier Anna Bligh said more than 1450 casualties were recorded as a result of crashes involving drivers and riders with medical conditions in Queensland between July 2001 and July 2006.
“There are still those who don’t advise Queensland Transport of their conditions despite the advice of their doctors,” she said.
“This new process ensures health professionals are notified by Queensland Transport when their patients advise of medical conditions.
“This improved “Jet’s Law” will close that loophole. Doctors will now know who has or hasn’t provided information and they can take appropriate action.”
The Premier said the amendments were developed after extensive consultation with state health professionals.
She said “Jet’s Law” will be the first piece of legislation in Queensland to take the name of the person who inspired it.
“Jet’s death was a tragic accident. The impact killed Jet, severely injured his mother Anita Rowland and left his brother Bailey confined to a wheelchair,” she said.
“I hope that this decision to name the legislation after little Jet gives some comfort to his mother Anita who I know has lobbied for this measure.
“We can never bring Jet back but I am confident that the law his short life inspired has already saved other lives.”
Since the legislation was introduced more than 121,000 notifications have been received.
Before the legislation was introduced drivers were only legally required to report a medical condition when they obtained or renewed a licence.
Transport Minister John Mickel said Anita Rowland had lobbied his Department to change the name of the legislation to help raise awareness of reporting medical conditions.
"The Queensland Government felt it was appropriate to accept Ms Rowland's request to rename the legislation in honour of Jet to remind people of the tragic circumstances which can occur,” he said.
Under the law medical conditions which should be reported to QT include dementia, stroke, epilepsy, sleeping disorders and angina.
Premiers (07) 32244500