Kiwi Kids Unsafe From Unfit Drivers

Candor Trust say the Greymouth woman forced to stop her driving rampage with a captive child aboard other motorists brave actions in blockading her path near Springfield, may be getting dealt with in a kneejerk way by the Law.

If Police won't report emotional abuse (forcing a child to occupy a death trap) and physical endangerment of a dependent to CYF's, then perhaps CYF's should investigate anyway.

'The woman who is apparently in a drug rehabilitation program refused to hand over her keys but did hand over her daughter - what does that tell us about her state of mind - she is clearly dangerous and faces trivial charges' say Candor.

She apparently continued her offending after others had called her out on it and shortly after offloading her child passenger - putting herself and others at risk of considerable harm. And not 2 Kms down the road crashed extensively damaging her vehicle - what if the child had still been aboard, how would she be now?

Candor strongly objects to the woman being charged with four counts of careless use relating to the incident. This was not careless, it was dangerous offending that even continued after she was warned by other motorists. There is then an element of pre-meditation.

Police have commented that the Offenders driving was so bad they don't believe she should have a driver's licence at the moment. This does not sound like a matter of carelessness at all, notes Candor.

But like it may be a matter of something far more serious - perhaps drug impaired driving is the crime they should be investigating and prosecuting, based on all circumstances as reported.

That would be far more likely to ensure loss of the dangerous driver's license when she stands to account before a sentencing Judge.

'Police too often make he mistake of charging drug drivers with careless driving as they know a good defence lawyer can get them off on technicalities - regardless if they're guilty as sin.' Such mistakes, oft involving methadone patients, who're particularly intoxicated around lunchtime, promote future offenses and killings.

A 'P' and opiate driver wrote off three cars while driving under the influence not long ago. He was charged with 'careless' only then sentenced to driving school. 40 days later he crashed again killing, an innocent grandmother and was also charged with injuring his passenger toddlers. A charge later dropped as they weren't damaged enough.

We're very concerned that Police are not seeing fit to report this Mother to CYF's and can't imagine what they are thinking. Is it really for them to assess the childs safety or for the experts. 'I know what I'd prefer if it was say my niece that had been jeopardised' said Candor Co-ordinator Rachael Ford.

They say they've no concern for the 7 year old daughters future safety. And that 'it's just this woman on this day, her manner of driving'. Why on earth would they have no concerns, ask Candor.

The majority of people who drive impaired - which may well turn out to be the case here, if a proper investigation is to be attempted as it well ought to be, are recidivists.

'For too long the only protection that has been offered to the children of drunks and addicts from their parents in New Zealand has been a kiddy car seat or a seatbelt - those with a good sense of self preservation learn with experience to stay in the back seat.'

Child endangerment charges are undertaken elsewhere in situations like this, but they have not been popular here. For repeat DUI offenders they should be laid and a full safety assessment should be carried out.

'We wonder why we're leading the world with child injury rates in this Country. When cases like this repeatedly demonstrate that they who are most vulnerable are typically not afforded rights in New Zealand.'

ENDS

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