A Tasmanian learner driver was not negligent in a fatal crash that killed two of her family members, but ‘inexperienced,’ a new report has found.
Brittany Wright lost control of her car on a wet West Tamar Highway at Lanena and crashed into an oncoming van in August 2021.
Judy and Donald Riley, Wright’s great aunt and uncle, both lost their lives in the crash that Coroner Webster put down to the “inexperience” and “wet road conditions”.
The investigation found no evidence of excessive speed, mobile phone use, drugs or alcohol being factors in the crash.
Wright had approximately 80 hours of driving experience at the time of the collision and was driving a different vehicle than the one she had practiced in.
While there were minor offences mentioned by the Coroner in the report, including failing to display L-plates and driving without a supervising driver in the front passenger seat, the Director of Public Prosecutions deemed them not worthy of pursuit.
Coroner Webster did, however, caution Wright about a subsequent conviction for driving without a full license, for which she was disqualified for three months.
“I note with some concern less than two months after this motor accident Ms Wright was intercepted on her learner’s licence driving while unaccompanied,” Webster said.
“She was disqualified from driving by way of a traffic infringement notice for a period of three months which took effect from 7 December 202l.
“Since then my office has received information Ms Wright has continued to drive without a licence and she has driven an unregistered vehicle.”
Webster said he ‘did not know’ whether or not the information was correct.
“If it is Ms Wright would be foolish to continue to behave in this way because she would be putting herself and other road users at risk.”
“If apprehended for driving in this manner then clearly a prosecution should follow.”
