Mike's law to be introduced

29/10/06
Laws making it mandatory to help road accident victims will be introduced into Parliament.
Police Minister John Kobelke said the legislation would make it a criminal offence for a driver to leave an accident or fail to report an accident where a person was seriously injured or killed.
"These changes follow the horrific death of 75-year-old Hilton man Michael Witkowski in 2004," Mr Kobelke said.
"He was run down and left for dead by two young men as he walked his dog along South Street on a Saturday night.
"The two men sped away and later went out clubbing."
The Minister said under current laws, the penalty for failing to report an accident or help someone seriously hurt were negligible, which could encourage people with no morals to cruelly leave the scene of an accident.
He said in the case of Mr Witkowski, when the men and their hidden vehicle were found, the driver could only be charged with a minor offence for which he was fined $800. The passenger got off scott-free.
"It is callous in the extreme for a driver involved in a crash to leave an injured person lying by the roadside in an attempt to cover up their bad driving or alcohol in their system," Mr Kobelke said.
"Under these changes, a driver who fails to stop and help after an accident where a person is seriously injured or dies can face up to 20 years in jail. A 10-year jail sentence could apply for failing to report an accident under the same conditions.
"We want drivers to know this sort of reprehensible behaviour is unacceptable and the introduction of 'Mike's Law' would ensure that there were appropriate penalties to fit the crime."
The Minister said he hoped the laws would be introduced to Parliament next year.
Minister's office: 9222 9211