Olivia's law call aims to cut young driving deaths
- Published
Olivia Alkir had plans to study architectural engineering at university
Family and friends of a sixth form student killed in a crash caused by two racing drivers are calling for a change in the law for new motorists.
Olivia Alkir, 17, of Efenechtyd, Denbighshire, was a passenger in a car that crashed while the driver was racing another car in June last year.
Drivers Edward Bell, who passed his driving test a day earlier, and Thomas Quick were jailed for five years.
Denbighshire councillors have agreed to back a petition to Parliament.
It calls for new young drivers to have a black box recorder fitted to their vehicles for the first year, to monitor their journeys.
The petition, external also wants newly-qualified motorists to be limited to one passenger, who must be a qualified driver.
Olivia's Ysgol Brynhyfryd school friend Joe Hinchcliffe launched the petition that has been supported by Olivia's parents Mesut and Jo.
It has attracted 8,500 signatures so far and needs to reach 10,000 for the UK government to respond to the request. If it reached 100,000 by February, it would lead to a debate in Parliament.
Thomas Quick, 18, was jailed alongside Edward Bell for causing death by dangerous driving
Denbighshire councillors voted unanimously to back the petition, after hearing that black boxes were required in cars used by young, newly-qualified drivers in Australia, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
The motion was put forward by Ruthin councillor Huw Hilditch-Roberts, who is related to another teenager injured in the fatal crash.
He told colleagues how Olivia - who he said had worked for the council - was "an intelligent and beautiful young woman" who had had "her whole life ahead of her".
"I hope with all my heart that all other authorities in Wales will get behind this petition," he added.
"Olivia has lost the opportunity to leave this legacy herself."
- Published6 March 2020
- Published28 June 2019
