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Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

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Old Mar 22nd 2006, 11:33 pm
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Angry Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

This guy was aquitted because, despite having drunk 13 beers there was no "proof" that he was driving dangerously.

I woul'd have thought his blood alcohol level and a dead girl were proof enough, but not here in Perth.

In the UK he would have gone to jail.


Drink-driver acquitted in landmark case

A Perth drink-driver has been found not guilty of causing the death of a 10-year-old girl in a case that led to major changes to Western Australia's criminal laws.

A jury took an hour-and-a-half to acquit 21-year-old Mitchell Walsh-McDonald of dangerous driving causing the death of Jess Meehan.

Miss Meehan was hit by Walsh-McDonald's ute as she tried to ride across Marmion Avenue in Clarkson in August 2003.

Walsh-McDonald was originally only charged with drink-driving but after a public outcry he was charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Miss Meehan's family say they are glad they have been able to have their day in court.

"It's a tragic case and really we just want to put it behind us now."

The case led to the law being changed so that any drink-driver who injures or kills is automatically charged with the more serious offence.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...3/s1598415.htm
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Old Mar 22nd 2006, 11:48 pm
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Your right Renth he would be doing time in the UK.

There is a very lax attitude to DD over here in Australia which has to change and the sooner the better.

Terrible story he has taken one life and ruined the lives of all her family should be rotting in a cell for many years.

Originally Posted by renth
This guy was aquitted because, despite having drunk 13 beers there was no "proof" that he was driving dangerously.

I woul'd have thought his blood alcohol level and a dead girl were proof enough, but not here in Perth.

In the UK he would have gone to jail.


Drink-driver acquitted in landmark case

A Perth drink-driver has been found not guilty of causing the death of a 10-year-old girl in a case that led to major changes to Western Australia's criminal laws.

A jury took an hour-and-a-half to acquit 21-year-old Mitchell Walsh-McDonald of dangerous driving causing the death of Jess Meehan.

Miss Meehan was hit by Walsh-McDonald's ute as she tried to ride across Marmion Avenue in Clarkson in August 2003.

Walsh-McDonald was originally only charged with drink-driving but after a public outcry he was charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Miss Meehan's family say they are glad they have been able to have their day in court.

"It's a tragic case and really we just want to put it behind us now."

The case led to the law being changed so that any drink-driver who injures or kills is automatically charged with the more serious offence.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...3/s1598415.htm
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Old Mar 22nd 2006, 11:50 pm
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by renth
This guy was aquitted because, despite having drunk 13 beers there was no "proof" that he was driving dangerously.

I woul'd have thought his blood alcohol level and a dead girl were proof enough, but not here in Perth.

In the UK he would have gone to jail.


Drink-driver acquitted in landmark case

A Perth drink-driver has been found not guilty of causing the death of a 10-year-old girl in a case that led to major changes to Western Australia's criminal laws.

A jury took an hour-and-a-half to acquit 21-year-old Mitchell Walsh-McDonald of dangerous driving causing the death of Jess Meehan.

Miss Meehan was hit by Walsh-McDonald's ute as she tried to ride across Marmion Avenue in Clarkson in August 2003.

Walsh-McDonald was originally only charged with drink-driving but after a public outcry he was charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Miss Meehan's family say they are glad they have been able to have their day in court.

"It's a tragic case and really we just want to put it behind us now."

The case led to the law being changed so that any drink-driver who injures or kills is automatically charged with the more serious offence.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...3/s1598415.htm
I saw that on the news and couldn't believe what I was hearing.
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Old Mar 22nd 2006, 11:58 pm
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by renth
This guy was aquitted because, despite having drunk 13 beers there was no "proof" that he was driving dangerously.

I woul'd have thought his blood alcohol level and a dead girl were proof enough, but not here in Perth.

In the UK he would have gone to jail.


Drink-driver acquitted in landmark case

A Perth drink-driver has been found not guilty of causing the death of a 10-year-old girl in a case that led to major changes to Western Australia's criminal laws.

A jury took an hour-and-a-half to acquit 21-year-old Mitchell Walsh-McDonald of dangerous driving causing the death of Jess Meehan.

Miss Meehan was hit by Walsh-McDonald's ute as she tried to ride across Marmion Avenue in Clarkson in August 2003.

Walsh-McDonald was originally only charged with drink-driving but after a public outcry he was charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Miss Meehan's family say they are glad they have been able to have their day in court.

"It's a tragic case and really we just want to put it behind us now."

The case led to the law being changed so that any drink-driver who injures or kills is automatically charged with the more serious offence.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...3/s1598415.htm
presumably he was convicted of being drunk though? And now that the law is changed, Australia has caught up. Whew that was close.
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Old Mar 22nd 2006, 11:58 pm
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by renth
This guy was aquitted because, despite having drunk 13 beers there was no "proof" that he was driving dangerously.

I woul'd have thought his blood alcohol level and a dead girl were proof enough, but not here in Perth.

In the UK he would have gone to jail.


Drink-driver acquitted in landmark case

A Perth drink-driver has been found not guilty of causing the death of a 10-year-old girl in a case that led to major changes to Western Australia's criminal laws.

A jury took an hour-and-a-half to acquit 21-year-old Mitchell Walsh-McDonald of dangerous driving causing the death of Jess Meehan.

Miss Meehan was hit by Walsh-McDonald's ute as she tried to ride across Marmion Avenue in Clarkson in August 2003.

Walsh-McDonald was originally only charged with drink-driving but after a public outcry he was charged with dangerous driving causing death.

Miss Meehan's family say they are glad they have been able to have their day in court.

"It's a tragic case and really we just want to put it behind us now."

The case led to the law being changed so that any drink-driver who injures or kills is automatically charged with the more serious offence.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems...3/s1598415.htm
I saw that last night " what a bloody disgrace " what is wrong with the laws in this country,do they not care about this wee girl being killed and the pain and suffering that her family must be feeling,they must surely feel that justice has let them down.
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 12:08 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

In my office, everyone will happily have a few beers and then drive home. I am the odd one who refuses to drink and drive at all. Ofter I hear the old line "it's ok to have a few.

It's seems to be normal/acceptable to take chances with drinking and driving. Which is strange as there seems to be a greater Police anti drinking policy active here. I never once got tested in the UK, over here it seems to happen all the time.
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 12:16 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Theres a similar case here, aussie lady in her 50's lost her 23 year old son to a drink driver (third time he was caught), hes still not in jail, lives up the road from her and is was recently caught driving unlicenced.
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 12:20 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by dshole
In my office, everyone will happily have a few beers and then drive home. I am the odd one who refuses to drink and drive at all. Ofter I hear the old line "it's ok to have a few.

It's seems to be normal/acceptable to take chances with drinking and driving. Which is strange as there seems to be a greater Police anti drinking policy active here. I never once got tested in the UK, over here it seems to happen all the time.
I've noticed this quite a bit too. It reminds of me of being young, and my parents coming home from parties slightly worse for wear, or worse, my dad driving home from the hockey club after a good few pints with me and my sisters in the car. That attitude would lose you friends in the UK now.
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 12:21 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by dshole
In my office, everyone will happily have a few beers and then drive home. I am the odd one who refuses to drink and drive at all. Ofter I hear the old line "it's ok to have a few.

It's seems to be normal/acceptable to take chances with drinking and driving. Which is strange as there seems to be a greater Police anti drinking policy active here. I never once got tested in the UK, over here it seems to happen all the time.
I've noticed this too, one mate turned up at a barbie pretty sozzled and we found out he'd been drinking all arvo while driving between jobs. Hubby pointed out that his blood alcohol level would be high, worked out how many units he'd had versus the time frame and it was like he'd never considered it all, although he was fairly good natured about it. Most of us can work out how much we can cope with

Then we have pissed AFL players dodging booze buses
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 12:59 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by dshole
In my office, everyone will happily have a few beers and then drive home. I am the odd one who refuses to drink and drive at all. Ofter I hear the old line "it's ok to have a few.

It's seems to be normal/acceptable to take chances with drinking and driving. Which is strange as there seems to be a greater Police anti drinking policy active here. I never once got tested in the UK, over here it seems to happen all the time.
What is even worse is when you pull up at the side of someone driving and they are actually 'drinking and driving' with a stubbie held up to their lips
F***ing incredible

Can you imagine that back in the UK
not likely

Sarah
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 1:09 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by sasbear
What is even worse is when you pull up at the side of someone driving and they are actually 'drinking and driving' with a stubbie held up to their lips
F***ing incredible

Can you imagine that back in the UK
not likely

Sarah
Yep, and using their IPODS/Walkmans/whatever. What is the deal with that?

Although I have seen a copper drinking a beer in the UK whilst driving.
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 1:11 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by dshole
Yep, and using their IPODS/Walkmans/whatever. What is the deal with that?
Did u not seem the news item a couple of days ago where a girl in Wales was captured on CCTV putting on her full makeup - no hands on wheels for miles!
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 1:14 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by OzSheila
Did u not seem the news item a couple of days ago where a girl in Wales was captured on CCTV putting on her full makeup - no hands on wheels for miles!

No missed that one!

I don't think that ozzies use their mirror for anything other than checking theri own reflection tho anyhow!

They have no concept of the 2 second rule - out here it is the 2 thousands of a second rule - they seem to nip in where water wouldn't fit - lol
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 1:18 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by sasbear
They have no concept of the 2 second rule - out here it is the 2 thousands of a second rule - they seem to nip in where water wouldn't fit - lol
I call it "dog eat dog" and I do not enjoy driving here! Think it goes back to the competitiveness shown on the sports fields.

And I would lock up 95% of P platers!
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Old Mar 23rd 2006, 1:26 am
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Default Re: Australia 20 years behind UK - Drink Driving

Originally Posted by OzSheila
I call it "dog eat dog" and I do not enjoy driving here! Think it goes back to the competitiveness shown on the sports fields.

And I would lock up 95% of P platers!
Perfectly put, and further still. It goes back to being a ex-colony/frontier nation.
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