Buxton mum starts drink drive petition

A Buxton mum has launched a petition calling for mandatory alcohol and drugs tests to be carried out on drivers at the scene of fatal road accidents.
Rachel Lee campaigning following her grandfather's deathRachel Lee campaigning following her grandfather's death
Rachel Lee campaigning following her grandfather's death

Rachel Lee created the online campaign, Jan’s Law, on Tuesday, after her grandfather Robert ‘Jan’ Sendall died in a traffic collision in Pembrokeshire in December 2012.

She has already garnered more than 600 signatures.

The 34-year-old, of Brown Edge Road, said: “The driver of the other vehicle suffered injuries and was later admitted to hospital. I can assure you that toxicology was performed on my grandfather during a post mortem examination to ensure he was not under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The other individual however, did not have to supply any breath or blood sample.”

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The mother-of-two added: “After a long police investigation, the other individual involved in the collision admitted to drinking one pint. At the inquest, he admitted to drinking two pints.

“This only came to light when the barman from the pub he was drinking in testified in court that he’d served him at least two. Whether this impeded his judgement that night or not, we will never know.”

The Independent Police Complaints Commission has since investigated the handling of the enquiry and issued apologies.

She said: “Astonishingly, it is not law that anyone involved in a fatal road collision is required to provide breath or blood samples.

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“We as a family, are not out to change what has happened to us, apportion any blame or to convict the other individual involved.

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“What we want to do is highlight how fundamentally crucial this gaping hole in the law is and to ensure that no other family ever experience such frustration and devastation as we have.

“My incredible grandfather, Jan, deserves this legacy. This law, or lack of, needs to be addressed and changed now before it happens to someone you love.”

To sign the petition, visit change.org and search for mandatory toxicology.

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