An inquiry into dangerous driving in Canberra has recommended the ACT government consider a vehicular manslaughter charge that could attract higher penalties for drivers convicted of causing another person's death.
Warning: This story contains a confronting image.
The ACT Legislative Assembly committee inquiry was launched after a spike in deaths and dangerous driving offences was observed on Canberra roads.
The bereaved father of Matthew McLuckie, 20, who died in a collision almost a year ago, led calls for the inquiry alongside other grieving families.
The inquiry heard there had been 18 road deaths in Canberra in 2022, with ACT Policing reporting an increase in speed being a factor.
"Some of the speeds we have seen on roads like Majura Parkway—they are treating it like Majura raceway. It is horrific," ACT Chief Police Officer Neil Gaughan told the inquiry.
Officers launched Operation TORIC in August 2022 in an attempt to crack down on dangerous driving and car theft in the nation's capital.
The committee heard that by November that year, the task force had dealt with 137 dangerous drivers — and only eight of those apprehended were first-time offenders.
More than half were subject to bail or other court conditions at the time of offending.
Recommendations include new offences, more police powers
The inquiry made almost 30 recommendations, including:
- A review into past dangerous driving offences to determine if there is a trend of punishments being light-handed.
- An update to the offence of culpable driving causing death, with vehicular manslaughter suggested.
- Legislation for a neutral presumption of bail for serious dangerous driving offences.
- More transparency in the Sentence Administration Board's decisions.
- Changes to be able to restrict or suspend drivers' licences while an offender is on parole.
- New offences for passengers who flee the scene of a crash.
- Police powers to confiscate mobile phones at the time of an accident.
- More data on how drug-taking impairs drivers, as well as better education programs.
- A status report on the government's consideration of electronic monitoring options.
- The establishment of a family room at court so loved ones of victims can minimise interactions with defendants.
The current sentence for culpable driving of a motor vehicle causing death to another person in the ACT is a maximum of 14 years' imprisonment — or 16 years for an aggravated offence against a pregnant woman.
The sentence for culpable driving of a motor vehicle causing grievous bodily harm to another person is a maximum of 10 years.
Families' grief acknowledged in report
The family members of a number of victims gave evidence to the inquiry, including Mr McLuckie, who said support for traumatised loved ones needed to be improved.
His son Matthew was 20 when he died in the collision on Hindmarsh Drive, and a woman is facing nine charges in relation to the crash.
"We had the police turn up in the morning when Matthew died. They had a very busy weekend. They had three fatalities over a period of three or four days. We had minimal information as to the event of the crash, and subsequently found out through social media," Mr McLuckie said.
"You really are left alone to try and manage your way through. So, if I could change one thing, it would be that," he added.
Camille Jago and Andrew Corney, who lost their son Blake Corney, also conveyed to the committee the heartbreak of losing a child suddenly in a road death.
"Blake was four when he died," his parents told the inquiry.
"He had these little dimples in his cheeks and, when he had a big smile, you could really see the dimples and his really bright shining eyes. And he was always running everywhere. He was so busy and so full of life. He loved trains and Lego. He had so much potential and that was taken away."
The government will now consider and report back on the committee's recommendations.
