A Western Bay of Plenty family affected twice by high-risk drivers is urging the government to better support crash victims.
Cherie Bryenton's husband Daryl and daughter Linda Candy are both victims of vehicle collisions caused by high-risk drivers.
The motorbike wreck from a head-on collision that caused Daryl Bryenton to lose work for weeks, putting a strain on his marriage.
This week Minister of Transport Steven Joyce released figures showing that between 2005 and 2009 there were 642 New Zealanders killed in vehicle collisions caused by high-risk drivers.
Steven's report defines high-risk drivers as unlicensed and disqualified drivers, those with previous speed and alcohol offences, or those who engage in high-risk behaviour, such as driving with a high blood alcohol content, evading enforcement or illegal street racing at the time of the crash.
Both Cherie's husband, Daryl, and daughter, Candy, are survivors of head-on collisions caused by young unlicensed drivers. Daryl's accident was in September last year and Candy's was two years ago in Te Puna.
Daryl was driving his motorcycle between Katikati and Mount Maunganui when a young driver pulled out in front of him.
He shattered his ankle in the crash and was forced to use crutches for four months and was unable to work for weeks.
'It's strained us to the max. We've had a couple of domestics even because things have become so tight.”
The unlicensed teenager who caused the crash was charged with dangerous use of a motor vehicle causing injury and was forced to pay $4500 over two and a half years for the damage she caused.
'I want more support in place for victims,” says Cherie, 'she is paying $30 a week for the next four and a half years for the accident because she is at university.
'For me, university is a luxury, it's not a necessity. If you are going to create an accident you should go out and get a real job and pay off your debts.”
Cherie believes high-risk drivers should be forced to pay a large portion of the reparations upfront.
In the Bay of Plenty, 54 people were killed between 2005 and 2009 in vehicle collisions caused by high-risk drivers.
6 comments
Where's ACC??
Posted on 28-01-2011 11:41 | By RawPrawn
Yet another example of those responsible for implementing our so-called 'Justice' system pandering to the wants of the criminals (yes, that's what they are) instead of considering the victims. Isn't Law and Order supposed to be about protecting society? Isn't that what our taxes are supposed to achieve?? Or am I hopelessly misinformed?
registration
Posted on 28-01-2011 11:44 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Yet it is us motorcyle owners that are stuck with the huge increase in bike registrations, us paying the price for others on the road causing accidents. Sorry to the Bryenton family for whats happened.
soft judges buggering N Z
Posted on 28-01-2011 15:03 | By The author of this comment has been removed.
Come on goverment and more so these whimpy soft judges get tough on these high risk criminals, reperation up front or all their belongings sold to cover compensation .
AB
Posted on 29-01-2011 14:22 | By Alan Baker
It has become so risky now to use the roads that we often leave the car in the garage and use the buses. At least they are bigger and safer.
ACC
Posted on 29-01-2011 15:01 | By Capt_Kaveman
ditch ACC and bring in right to sue and make them pay and ditch ACC leves and force people to insurance
worst drivers in the world
Posted on 29-01-2011 17:18 | By monty111
Having driven in most Countries in the world over the past 40 years and here in New Zealand for the past 9 years I can honestly say that I have never encountered such bad/dangerous drivers as here. Every day I see several acts of stupidity and in most cases dangerous driving incidents and the trouble is that these youngsters rarely have professional driving lessons but are tought by friends/relatives who just pass their bad habits on to them.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to make a comment.