- New amendments to the Road Traffic Act 1974 to strengthen penalties for dangerous driving offences will be named Kelly's Law
- Cook Government focus on building safer communities for all Western Australians
- Extending the disqualification period to all traffic offences that carry a licence disqualification penalty will keep dangerous drivers off the roads while on bail
The Cook Government will introduce new road safety laws to ensure hit and run drivers are banned from getting back behind the wheel, preventing further harm and trauma to a victim's family.
Changes to the Road Traffic Act 1974 would strengthen licence disqualification periods and would be called Kelly's Law, in memory of Kelly T'Hart, a pedestrian killed by a drunk driver.
On 19 May 2024, 32-year-old Kelly was walking in Furnissdale when she was struck by a vehicle. The driver left the scene without rendering assistance.
Despite facing serious charges, the offender was allowed back on Western Australian roads, including the street where Kelly's family lives, just two months after the fatal crash.
The changes to the Road Traffic Act will ensure drivers facing serious driving charges are not able to get back behind the wheel again before facing the courts for the first time.
The law will also give the courts more power to extend licence disqualification until the case is finalised with sentencing.
Disqualification notices are currently only available for some alcohol and drug offences. However, any driver who commits a serious offence would have their licence suspended.
That is why disqualification notice provisions will be extended to all offences that carry a disqualification penalty, including:
- all drink and drug driving;
- reckless and dangerous driving;
- high-level speeding; and
- hit and run offences.
As stated by Road Safety Minister Reece Whitby:
"Drivers who think they're above the law and continue to put lives at risk by driving dangerously or under the influence should be banned from our roads.
"Kelly's Law will better protect the public and provide a stronger deterrent for people who choose not to follow the road rules.
"The changes will help protect innocent people from the actions of reckless and irresponsible drivers.
"I thank the T'Hart family for their drive and determination in making sure that what happened to them, doesn't happen to anyone else."
