THE family of a teenager who died after being thrown from an unroadworthy car went to Parliament this week to lobby for a change in the law.
John and Karen Rowlands met with Transport Minister Trudy Harrison MP and North West Durham MP Richard Holden following a debate on fatal accidents.
John and Karen Rowlands say their lives stopped the day their son Andrew was killed when the 4x4 he was in flipped and crashed on the A692 at Tanfield, near Stanley, in June last year.
The 18-year-old, from Consett, was taken to Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary with serious injuries and pronounced dead a short time later.
The 4x4 was driven by the then 17-year-old Dylan Brunton, who fled the scene along with the two other passengers following the crash.
The dangerous vehicle did not have an MOT and had been bought the day before for just £100.
Brunton, of Dene View, East Stanley, is currently serving a 32-month prison sentence in a young offenders’ institute.
The wreckage after the crash and, inset, Dylan Brunton
Whilst still coming to terms with their tragic loss, the Rowlands family contacted local MP Richard Holden last year.
On hearing the family’s tragedy, Mr Holden said he will work with the Rowlands in a bid to change the law to make it harder for people to buy vehicles without a valid driver’s licence.
This week Mr and Mrs Rowlands attened Parliament to hear a debate on fatal accidents, secured by the MPn to persuade the Government that photo ID should be required when you sell a car.
Following the debate Transport Minister Trudy Harrison MP met with the family and agreed to meet with Mr Holden next week to explore how to law could be changed.
Andrew Rowlands Picture: FAMILY ISSUED
Read more: Tributes paid to Andrew Rowlands who died in a crash at Tanfield
Andrew’s dad, John Rowlands, said: “Our son Andrew always saw the best in people.
"Unfortunately, he trusted someone that had an unroadworthy vehicle, couldn’t drive that vehicle, had no previous driving experience and no licence.
“We came down to Parliament today to hear Richard Holden’s debate and to highlight where we believe there is an opportunity to change the law.
"We want it to become a lot harder to buy a motor vehicle compared to what it is now.
“We understand that changing the law is not a straightforward process and that it’s not going to be an easy fix over night, but we hope that after meeting with Richard and the Minister this is the beginning of the right end result for everybody.
“Our long-term goal is to save people’s lives at the hands of illegal and unroadworthy vehicles.”
Richard Holden MP and Transport Minister Trudy Harrison MP with Andrew Rowlands' parents, Karen and John Picture: RICHARD HOLDEN
Mr Holden said: “I cannot imagine the anguish of losing a child. John, Karen and their family may have been prevented from this tragedy if the law had been different.
“Andrew Rowlands was killed by someone who didn’t have a driving license and had never even had a driving lesson - yet the person who killed him had still been able to buy a car.
"We shouldn’t be in a situation where you can’t buy a lottery ticket without ID but you can buy a car.
“Ever since Andrew’s parents raised Andrew’s tragic death with me, I have been working to secure a debate in Parliament to bring this issue to the Government’s attention.
"In raising the matter, I am seeking to ensure that when you sell a car you can only sell it to someone with a driving license who provides photo ID.
“I hope the debate in Parliament is the beginning of a real look at these legal loopholes which allow tragedies to occur. I am grateful for the Minister agreeing to meet with me next week."Hopefully it will prevent more tragic deaths like that of Andrew.”
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