Harry Parker was simply 14 years outdated when he was hit and killed by a automobile on his option to faculty in Swindon.
“He was a lovely lad, full of life. A football fanatic,” mentioned Harry’s dad, Adam. “He would always make people smile and just have a good time. He was my right hand man. Daddy’s boy.”
His mum Kelly says the reminiscence of what occurred that day in November 2022 is seared into her thoughts.
“I can bear in mind strolling into that room now, he was in resus, mendacity on a trolley. He was simply completely lifeless. I pushed all of the docs away, I pushed everybody out the best way and simply went to him and mentioned ‘Harry, please, come on son, you’ve got obtained me. We will do that collectively’.
“The hardest part was when we had to say goodbye to him. We had to make the decision to turn the life support machine off. Harry was in the middle, me and his dad lay on each side of him, holding him so tight and feeling his heart beat, until we felt the very last beat.”
The motive force of the automobile did not have a licence, insurance coverage, or cease on the scene.
However two years after Harry’s loss of life the Crown Prosecution Service advised his dad and mom that they have been dropping the fees.
They mentioned: “We examined this case in great detail – including obtaining the advice of a forensic collision expert – and it has become clear that there is not enough evidence to demonstrate that this collision could reasonably have been avoided, and therefore that the driving was careless.”
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Harry Parker’s father, Adam, described his son as ‘soccer mad’
For Adam and Kelly it was an enormous blow.
“I was enraged, angry,” mentioned Adam. “I just wanted to lash out. But there’s no point in doing that. The only way to win this fight is to go through the legal procedures and do this properly. I can’t believe that the law is so lenient on people who haven’t got a licence.”
There isn’t a present nationwide information on the variety of unlicensed drivers, although previous analysis by the Division for Transport estimated they commit 9.3% – or almost 1 in 10 – of all motoring offences. It was thought there may very well be as many as 470,000 on the roads.
In 2006 the Labour authorities launched a brand new offence of inflicting loss of life whereas driving with out a licence or insurance coverage, punishable by as much as two years in jail.
However in 2013 the Supreme Courtroom dominated that, as a result of method the laws was worded, prosecutors nonetheless needed to show the driving was at fault – thus rendering the brand new legislation pretty redundant, as a driver might then be charged by careless or harmful driving.
The judges have been involved about faultless drivers being charged if a drunk pedestrian fell into the street in entrance of them, or if somebody tried suicide by leaping out into the street.
The Parkers’ native MP, Will Stone, believes the legislation must be modified to mirror the spirit and intention of the 2006 laws.
He has a Ten Minute Rule Invoice in the present day – a movement to hunt MPs’ permission to introduce a invoice to make the case for a brand new legislation.
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Will Stone, Labour MP for Swindon North, needs the legislation to be modified.
Pic: UK Parliament
Labour MP Mr Stone is hoping the federal government will undertake the invoice as a part of their forthcoming street security technique.
“What we’re specifically looking to do with the Harry Parker Bill, is that if a driver without a licence crashes into somebody and it results in death, it would automatically be deemed careless,” he mentioned.
“There is clearly a loophole in the rules. You need a driving licence to drive. Therefore, choosing to go without one is careless by default. You shouldn’t be on the road because you don’t have the requirements to operate a car, and I think that is a safety risk.”
The Division of Transport mentioned: “Every death on our roads is a tragedy and our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Harry Parker.
“The federal government takes street security severely, and we’re dedicated to lowering the variety of these killed and injured on our roads.”
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Harry Parker’s father, Adam, believes there’s ‘clearly a loophole within the guidelines’
Adam Parker now spends each morning on the street exterior Harry’s faculty, ensuring all of the pupils get throughout security. He and Kelly are campaigning to lift consciousness of street security, hoping that Harry’s legacy might be to guard different kids.
“You shouldn’t send your child off to school, planning what you’re going to cook them that evening, planning what they’re going to have for their birthday in five days time, but it doesn’t happen because someone just hits him,” mentioned Kelly. “We don’t want any other parents to have to go through this.”
