The father of a 15-year-old girl killed in a horrific car crash in New South Wales is demanding stricter laws for provisional drivers, including speed limiters and passenger restrictions, as he prepares to bury his daughter.
John van de Putte's daughter Lily was one of five teenagers who died when a Nissan Navara ute crashed into two trees in Buxton, southwest of Sydney, on September 6. The alleged P-plate driver, Tyrell Edwards, survived with minor injuries and has been charged with five counts of dangerous driving occasioning death.
Mr van de Putte is now lobbying the NSW government to enforce stronger laws for provisional drivers and harsher penalties for those who break the rules. 'P-plate laws need to be stricter. Why can't they have speed immobilisers? That would be a very positive start,' he told the Daily Telegraph.
Both sides of NSW politics have indicated a willingness to meet with the families of the victims to discuss stricter laws for young drivers. State roads minister Natalie Ward and Premier Dominic Perrottet have agreed to meet, while Opposition Leader Chris Minns wants a review into how repeat speeding offenders can keep their provisional licence.
Mr van de Putte also shared his heartbreaking final moments with Lily before her death. He was about to undergo kidney surgery and she ran out to the driveway to hug him goodbye. 'You have nothing to worry about. It's only a simple operation, I love you, and I'll see you tomorrow,' he told her. When he woke after the operation, Lily was dead.
