Grieving father calls for tougher penalties

WHEN David Jackson's daughter Karen was killed by a young drink-driver, he thought the book would be thrown at the offender.When a sentence of just nine months was handed down to the 21-year-old responsible for Karen's death, Mr Jackson and his family were dismayed.The jail term was later increased to 15 months, after petitions by the family, but the Sippy Downs man believes there might be less tragedy on our roads if the consequences of drivers' reckless actions were punished accordingly.And his advice for young drivers is simple.I think they need to be considerate of other people, not just themselves, but other people that they can endanger, Mr Jackson said.If they could just do that I think it could help a lot.But I think a lot of them are just out for a thrill without a thought of the consequences at all.Karen Jackson, 30, was on her way to a church meeting in May of 2001 when her Ford hatchback was hit by a BMW on Crosby Hill Road, Buderim. The BMW was being driven by Jared Joseph Merrill, then aged 20. He pleaded guilty in 2002 to dangerous driving causing death while adversely affected by alcohol.The crown prosecutor told the judge a friend in Mr Merrill's vehicle at the time of the crash said Merrill appeared to be showing off, being stupid and travelling too fast for the road. Merrill had eight previous speeding offences and one prior drink-driving offence. Mr Jackson said the consequences of irresponsible behaviour needed to be dire so all irresponsible young drivers, and other road users, would learn their lesson.I think they do what they do because they know the sentence will be very light, Mr Jackson said.If they knew it would be a lot heavier I think they'd think a little more seriously about it. Mr Jackson said he supported more young driver education, training and the consideration of curfews and passenger number restrictions.But he said unless the law was stronger, it might not do any good.Mr Jackson said Karen's death impacted upon everyone, from Karen's family and friends, to Mr Merrill and his family.It affects everybody.'', but we've had to come to the place where we forgive and get over it and get on with life, Mr Jackson said.Some people would find that difficult to do and carry that a lot longer and then I think it would have an effect on them, physically and mentally and emotionally in every way.We've sort of learnt to get on with life and accept it

By KERRYN FRASER

WHEN David Jackson's daughter Karen was killed by a young drink-driver, he thought the book would be thrown at the offender.When a sentence of just nine months was handed down to the 21-year-old responsible for Karen's death, Mr Jackson and his family were dismayed.

The jail term was later increased to 15 months, after petitions by the family, but the Sippy Downs man believes there might be less tragedy on our roads if the consequences of drivers' reckless actions were punished accordingly.

And his advice for young drivers is simple.I think they need to be considerate of other people, not just themselves, but other people that they can endanger, Mr Jackson said.If they could just do that I think it could help a lot.

But I think a lot of them are just out for a thrill without a thought of the consequences at all.Karen Jackson, 30, was on her way to a church meeting in May of 2001 when her Ford hatchback was hit by a BMW on Crosby Hill Road, Buderim. The BMW was being driven by Jared Joseph Merrill, then aged 20.

He pleaded guilty in 2002 to dangerous driving causing death while adversely affected by alcohol.

The crown prosecutor told the judge a friend in Mr Merrill's vehicle at the time of the crash said Merrill appeared to be showing off, being stupid and travelling too fast for the road.

Merrill had eight previous speeding offences and one prior drink-driving offence.

Mr Jackson said the consequences of irresponsible behaviour needed to be dire so all irresponsible young drivers, and other road users, would learn their lesson.

I think they do what they do because they know the sentence will be very light, Mr Jackson said.If they knew it would be a lot heavier I think they'd think a little more seriously about it. Mr Jackson said he supported more young driver education, training and the consideration of curfews and passenger number restrictions.But he said unless the law was stronger, it might not do any good.

Mr Jackson said Karen's death impacted upon everyone, from Karen's family and friends, to Mr Merrill and his family.

It affects everybody.'', but we've had to come to the place where we forgive and get over it and get on with life, Mr Jackson said.

Some people would find that difficult to do and carry that a lot longer and then I think it would have an effect on them, physically and mentally and emotionally in every way.

We've sort of learnt to get on with life and accept it.

Originally published as Grieving father calls for tougher penalties