Harsher penalties wanted for fleeing drivers | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

A NEW Facebook group wants
harsher penalties for fleeing drivers
after a motorist trying to escape
police crashed, killing two people.

Sam Larsen, 27, started the group
on the social networking site
following the Fitzgerald Ave crash
on Thursday.

The group yesterday had 116
members, with Mr Larsen aiming to
get 100,000 people on board.

Mr Larsen plans to raise the
issue with Mayor Bob Parker and
mayoral candidate Jim Anderton.

''There's been too much talk,'' he
said.

''Someone needs to stand up and
say something.''

''I want to get it talked about and
make it into a national debate and
ultimately get the law change.''

Police Minister Judith Collins
warned motorists yesterday if they
fled from police, there was a high
chance of tragedy.

''A very strong message needs to
be sent that if they run, there is a
good chance they or other innocent
people will die,'' she said.

The deaths have reignited debate
about whether police should chase
motorists in such circumstances.

Inspector Malcolm Johnston said:
''It's just absurd to suggest we
shouldn't try to stop a maniac like
this.

''What does the public want the
police to do?

''This guy could have killed
anybody, at any time driving at that
speed. We are duty-bound to try to
stop this guy before he kills
someone.''