Police Minister Mark Ryan said the new laws would send a “clear message’ to anyone driving dangerously.

People who drive dangerously, evade police, and then become involved in a crash that causes death or grievous bodily harm could face up to 20 years in prison under proposed laws in Queensland.

Drivers who leave a crash scene after causing death or grievous bodily harm are also liable for a 20-year jail sentence under the laws, a six-year increase on the current maximum penalty.

The maximum penalty for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death or grievous bodily harm will increase from 10 to 14 years

This is a new penalty that targets those who show reckless disregard for the directions of police and the welfare of other people in the community.

Police Minister Mark Ryan said the new circumstance of aggravation, and the new 20-year penalty are part of a package of reforms targeting people who drive dangerously.

He said the new laws would send a “clear message’ to anyone driving dangerously.

“Who knows what goes in the mind of a criminal, but if they’ve even got a skerrick of intelligence they’ve got to reflect on the significant penalty of evading [police] and the possible tragic consequences that go along with that,” Ryan said.

Queenslanders from Coolangatta to the Cape have been affected by tragedy at the hands of dangerous drivers, and too many innocent people have lost their lives because of the reckless actions of another. 

Claudine Snow’s 70-year-old mother Susan Zimmer, sister Steffi Zimmer, 35, and her mother’s 79-year-old partner Chris Fawcett all died in a collision with another car at Bonogin in December 2022.

Claudine has advocated strongly for harsher penalties for dangerous drivers since the tragedy in the Gold Coast hinterland.

The new penalty for dangerous drivers who evade police and cause death or grievous bodily harm is set to be called Susan’s Law in her mother’s honour.

“I know that my mum is pushing me to do this and she’d be very happy,” Snow said. “They were just completely innocent people and they just wouldn’t want to see anyone else get hurt … I’m sure they’re proud.”

Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the legislation targeting dangerous drivers would be introduced to parliament this week.

“Any loss of life on our roads is unacceptable, especially when at the hands of a reckless driver. I want to thank Claudine Snow and her family for their advocacy for these tough new laws,” he said.

“These reforms make it crystal clear that those who endanger lives on the road, and then go on to evade police, will not get off lightly,” Miles added.

“We will introduce these laws into the parliament this week, as part of our comprehensive community safety plan, to ensure Queenslanders are safe and feel safe on the road.”