Crash victim's family want SA laws changed

The family of a boy who was run down by a drugged driver is to campaign to have South Australia's laws changed.

The family of a 12-year-boy who was run down by a drugged driver will campaign to have laws changed.

Leah Lenarczyk, 39, who had a mid-level concentration of methylamphetamine in her system, was acquitted of dangerous driving in the South Australian District Court over hitting and seriously injuring the boy in 2012.

She was found guilty of a lesser charge of aggravated driving without due care and on Thursday, was jailed for seven months after a judge outlined her long history of driving without a licence.

The case has raised concerns over the laws relating to drugged drivers, with South Australian Commissioner for Victims' Rights Michael O'Connell saying it was currently "near impossible" to prove someone was affected by drugs while driving.

He says it may be time to introduce a zero tolerance policy.

He told reporters the family of the injured boy would take time to consolidate their thoughts, but then planned to lobby politicians for law reform.

"They don't want this court case to simply pass by as just another court case," he said.

"They want to use it as a stepping stone for law reform."

In his original verdict in June, Judge Barry Beazley said the prosecution had not proved that methylamphetamine had seriously affected Lenarczyk's driving.

That came after two expert witnesses said ice, while illegal, could have positive effects on driver alertness, depending on its concentration.


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Source: AAP


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