Charges Dropped On A L-plater Who Kills A Student, Injures A Baby And 10 Others

[minix3]

A learner driver won't be punished for crashing into a bus stop queue, killing a student and injuring 11, a court ruled today.

Rose Deng, 43, an African refugee - who has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder after witnessing her husband's murder - succeeded in her application to have charges against her dismissed under the Mental Health Act.

The magistrate, Ian Barnett, ruled it was more appropriate to develop a plan for treating Ms Deng's mental condition than for her to be dealt with by the Downing Centre Local Court.

Mr Barnett also ordered that Ms Deng not be allowed another learner's licence for at least three years.

In March, Ms Deng was taking a driving lesson when she turned a corner on Railway Parade, Kogarah, too widely.

This caused her driving instructor to grab the car's steering wheel.

At the same time, Ms Deng pushed her foot on the accelerator, not the brake, and the car veered into the queue.

Emma Hansen, 20, was killed, while 11 people, including an 18-month-old boy were injured. One elderly man had his leg amputated.

"She tried to hit the brake, but hit the accelerator by mistake," her lawyer, Chris Hoy, told the court previously.

FULL ARTICLE

Am I the only one who thinks that she should be charged?

[m3gtr]

yep...id say so.

And supposing you are, could you please tell me why you think she should be and not the driving instructor?

Edited January 30, 2008 by m3gtr

[minix3]

yep...id say so.

And supposing you are, could you please tell me why you think she should be and not the driving instructor?

they both should be charged. If the instructor was a paid instructor [not just a friend with a license] then he/she should be charged for putting her on a road she wasn't ready for.

[Stinky Rooster]

I would say that the instructor should be held responsible fo' sho'

Who is to say that if he kept his hands off the wheel she wouldn't have made the corner with everyone intact? Unless he had pedals (that override the drivers pedals, as all instructors cars are supposed to) then he had no business grabbing at the wheel, and as mentioned above, if she was that inept she couldn't turn a normal suburban corner then WTF was he doing taking her out on the road?

I reckon there is a pretty good chance that woman will never drive again after doing that on her L's, and living with that for the rest of your life would probably be punishment enough.

[dangerous_daveo]

they both should be charged. If the instructor was a paid instructor [not just a friend with a license] then he/she should be charged for putting her on a road she wasn't ready for.

So where does the Govt come in to this, as they were the people that have the lackluster system that allowed her to have a learners in the first place. Imagion had there not been a driving instructor in the car, and just 'some mate' it could have potentally been much worse.

Without knowing all the details of the case, it would be difficult to say if the instructor should or shouldnt be charged. Trust me, its a difficult job.

[madbung]

To avoid any further mental anguish, i'm suprised they (govt) didn't award her a full licence, give her a new car and a cash payout for her trouble..friggin slack, Howards government would have

I've spotted a few "new" Australians driving lately (almost t-boned by one) and all I can say is the licencing system of today must be bad if these people pass. Personally I wouldn't trust them with a donkey and cart from what i've seen ....In a totally generalized way ofcourse.

Edited January 30, 2008 by madbung

[minix3]

my view is.. It should be compulsory for L platers to do say 10-15 hours with an instructor first before their parents/friends are allowed to 'teach' them.

And possibly they need to do a few theory lessons on the dangers and consequences of driving.

Also, from red P's to green, it should be compulsory to undertake some sort of driver training course.

If you can't afford it, you shouldn't drive.

Driving is a privilege not a right.

[dangerous_daveo]

But a 20 multipul choice test shouldnt give you your learners... At least not to drive on the road.

[trism]

my view is.. It should be compulsory for L platers to do say 10-15 hours with an instructor first before their parents/friends are allowed to 'teach' them.

And possibly they need to do a few theory lessons on the dangers and consequences of driving.

Also, from red P's to green, it should be compulsory to undertake some sort of driver training course.

If you can't afford it, you shouldn't drive.

Driving is a privilege not a right.

people have been saying this for years. and have compulsory driver ed courses, like you do to get a motorbike license...

they want them free, or heavily subsidised, because normal people cant aford it....

i think its true...

[GTR-32U]

Yeah I think she should be jailed and banned from driving for life. Ok so she went through some trauma regarding the loss of her husband....?? So how does this justify the crime that has happened...? Its just a Bullsh#t excuse that was more than likely encouraged by her defence attorney knowing it would get her off the hook.Sorry but when I did my L's the speedo never went over 50 kmh and around corners..? like walking speed almost...Before you criticise my opinion please remember back to the days when you were first on your L plates and remember how slowly and cautiously you drove..Throw her in the slammer and cancel the instructors licence

[zebra]

No can you imagine if it was one of us "hoon" skyline drivers that crashed.

They would have locked us up and thrown away the key as well as banning all imported cars from the road.

[jenkies]

Yeah I think she should be jailed and banned from driving for life. Ok so she went through some trauma regarding the loss of her husband....?? So how does this justify the crime that has happened...? Its just a Bullsh#t excuse that was more than likely encouraged by her defence attorney knowing it would get her off the hook.Sorry but when I did my L's the speedo never went over 50 kmh and around corners..? like walking speed almost...Before you criticise my opinion please remember back to the days when you were first on your L plates and remember how slowly and cautiously you drove..Throw her in the slammer and cancel the instructors licence

No can you imagine if it was one of us "hoon" skyline drivers that crashed.

They would have locked us up and thrown away the key as well as banning all imported cars from the road.

[(B1) MR_fanny]

there is a big difference in circumstances between a learner and a skyline driver who should already know how to drive. unfair comparrison i say.

i agree that there should be a compulsory driver training like bike licenses. think of it, why do they make sure you pass the practical aswell as the theory for a bike (obviously cause you can't have a passenger let alone a full licensed one on learners) yet let someone legally pilot a 1 tonne missle around without compulsory driver instructor training for the first hrs? somethings not right here aye

[minix3]

there is a big difference in circumstances between a learner and a skyline driver who should already know how to drive. unfair comparrison i say.

i agree that there should be a compulsory driver training like bike licenses. think of it, why do they make sure you pass the practical aswell as the theory for a bike (obviously cause you can't have a passenger let alone a full licensed one on learners) yet let someone legally pilot a 1 tonne missle around without compulsory driver instructor training for the first hrs? somethings not right here aye

In hk and US, you have to pass a driver training course as well as have compulsory hours with a licensed instructor.

I think it does help considering how amazing the drivers in hk are. They manage to fit 4 rows of cars in 3 lanes with 10cm gaps between each car and yet not crash. =p

Even if the L plate driver was a male 18 year old learner, the charges would be much harsher than a 40 year old women.

Edited January 30, 2008 by minix3

[Marco-R34GTT]

Bet if that person was caucasian it would be a different story...

I absolutely resent these tree hugging, soap avoiding, pot smoking hypocritical do gooders....

[Modena]

That f**ken zooloo should ride a zebra in Africa... much safer for the community!

[Guest trikdoutvl]

i think vigalantee justice is needed in this instance

[FATAZZ]

I'd say she's just an UnCo-ordianted piece of crap that ain't no use for nothin.

not yet mentioned,She will be allowed to drive again in 3yrs.

someone like that should be shot on sight and the lawyer especially.

If there was NO Lawyers i rekn sh*t would run alot smoother.Providing theres no law against smacking politicaly correct people in the mouth.

[Yidz]

I agree with the fact she shouldn't of been charged.

It was quite clearly an accident (Based on the evidence and story provided). I remember when this event happened amd its funny how people dont even know the story and choose to comment that she should be locked away.

She was learning FFS... And no I dont think you would of been treated any differently if you were in a Skyline on your L's.

I'd say she's just an UnCo-ordianted piece of crap that ain't no use for nothin.

I'd say you are a complete dropkick for saying that just because she had an accident. How would you react if someone grabbed the steering wheel off you, never mind someone learning that's had minimal experience and would have freaked out when this happened...

I agree with everyone else that there should be tighter control from the RTA as to how people can get their L's. At the same time, it's the first time I've heard an incident like this happen.

[scathing]

How would you react if someone grabbed the steering wheel off you, never mind someone learning that's had minimal experience and would have freaked out when this happened...

If someone I paid to teach me to drive grabbed my steering wheel, there's a list of things I'd potentially do in reaction.

Making my car go faster isn't on it.

Edited January 31, 2008 by scathing