Legal first as mobile phone users makes apology to road crash victim
In what is understood to be a legal first, a South Australian woman convicted of causing serious bodily harm by dangerous driving is publicly admitting her guilt as part of the restorative justice programme.
The move is said to be a historic legal first
Fanny Jacobsen was talking on her mobile phone at the time of the incident. She has requested an interview with the “Adelaide Now” newspaper, and a meeting between her, the victim and his family facilitated by the Centre for Restorative Justice.
The victim, a motorcyclist, lost his leg as a result of the crash.
“Ms Jacobson's story is an historic first,” the newspaper said.
“Never before has an offender consented to a public interview at the request of their victim.”
Jacobsen said: “People tell me, 'I use my phone while driving, everyone does it', but that's no excuse; it's not my excuse and there is no excuse, The consequence is not a $300 fine and some demerit points, it's changing someone's life forever - I know that because it's my experience.
"I made this mistake, this hideous mistake, and I urge people to reconsider ever, ever again texting or speaking on their phone in their car."
The victim, who has requested anonymity, asked Jacobson to make a public statement to the media via the restorative justice programme.
“It was generous for him to agree to meet with me," Jacobson said.
"He's very, very angry and I understand that. If I hadn't been on my phone - because that's all it was, not eating or smoking or driving fast - none of the rest of this would have happened."
“Our society has become a place where, if you don't answer the phone straight away or call someone right back, you've ignored them. I was part of that too but that it doesn't mean I resile from my personal responsibility. I'm completely responsible for this and I want people to learn from my experience."
Jacobsen faces up to fifteen years imprisonment and will be sentenced later.
">Mobile phone whilst driving