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The Queensland Parliament has passed laws creating new offences for careless driving which results in the death or serious injury.
From 18 June 2018, a new offence of Careless driving causing death or Grievous Bodily Harm will have a maximum penalty of 80 penalty units (currently $10,092.00) or 12 months imprisonment. The driver’s licence will also be disqualified for a minimum of 6 months.
If the offence occurred while the driver was unlicensed then the maximum penalty will increase to 160 penalty units (currently $20,184.00) or 2 years imprisonment. The minimum licence disqualification will remain at 6 months.
Previously where a person was convicted of driving without due care and attention (regardless of whether a person was killed or seriously injured from the careless driving), the maximum penalty was 40 penalty units (currently $5,046.00) or 6 months imprisonment. A driver convicted of this offence would also accumulate 3 demerit points on their driver licence. No minimum licence disqualification applied.
The new laws also provide for an increase to the minimum licence disqualification for the offence of Dangerous Driving causing death or Grievous Bodily Harm from 6 months to at least 12 months.
The changes to the law follow lobbying from the families of victims and Coronial recommendations for law reform in this area.
About the author
Steven Hayles
Director
LLB
Born and raised in Mackay, Steven completed his High School studies at Pioneer High School, before moving north to complete his law degree at Townsville’s James Cook University.
During his law degree, Steven was offered a position as a law clerk with Macrossan & Amiet during University vacation periods.
After spending several stints with Macrossan & Amiet during his degree, Steven elected to commence his solicitor’s traineeship with the firm in 2006. Steven was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland on 20 April 2007.
As a Mackay local, Steven is pleased to have secured a position with such a highly regarded local firm, that has a wealth of legal experience shared between its practitioners.
When Steven is not at work, he enjoys sporting pastimes including cricket, touch football and watching the National Rugby League.
About Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors
For over 100 years, Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors has been a leading local law firm in Mackay, with offices in Proserpine and Cannonvale servicing the Whitsundays region. Our experienced solicitors provide professional legal services to individuals, families and businesses across regional Queensland.
Whether you need representation in court, assistance buying or selling property, or advice on protecting your assets, our Mackay lawyers are committed to achieving the best possible outcome for you.
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