Road safety campaigner "overwhelmed" by Freddie's Law review

Wednesday 11 August 2021

The mother of a child who was knocked off his bicycle by a motorist who failed to stop has said she is “overwhelmed” by the Government’s efforts to improve road safety.

Joanna Dentskevich’s son Freddie was hit by a van at a junction in St. Martin in March 2020, which left him with a fractured arm, cuts and bruises, and concussion.

The police investigated but chose not to prosecute the driver, prompting Mrs Dentskevich to campaign for the introduction of a ‘Freddie’s Law’ – legislation that would establish ‘presumed liability’ in Jersey.

This would have introduced a ‘hierarchy’ of road use so that more vulnerable users would automatically have more legal protection in a collision with a better protected vehicle, unless there was clear proof of culpability.

Her campaign included launching a petition which was signed by more than 3,700 people and received a ministerial response.

In March, a proposition to introduce a law in Freddie’s name was successfully amended by the Infrastructure Minister in favour of a wholesale review of road safety in Jersey.

Deputy Kevin Lewis also undertook to review existing legislation and the Island’s Highway Code   to identify the benefits of introducing a ‘Freddie’s Law’.

Pictured: ‘Presumed liability’ is enshrined in law in many European countries, including the Netherlands.

At her request, Mrs Dentskevich has recently received an update on progress, at a meeting attended by Infrastructure Minister Kevin Lewis and several of his senior officers.

“I was overwhelmed by what they are doing; I felt both honoured and a bit embarrassed, as they pulled together a very knowledgeable and passionate team,” she said.

“They have put together a comprehensive project plan, which really sets out where they are, where they want to get to and how they’re going to get there. They are doing a really professional job.

“They told me that they have wanted to update the island’s traffic legislation for some time but Freddie’s accident was the catalyst for them to be able to get it done.”

Deputy Lewis has committed to publish the initial findings of the review, including ‘strategic policy recommendations’ by the end of this year.

However, Mrs Dentskevich said that some policies that are being considered include tightening up an article in the Road Traffic Law which covers the duty of care of a driver in an accident, and broadening the definition of what constitutes mobile phone use when driving.

Following last week’s meeting, Deputy Lewis said: “Our response to P.5/2021 Improvements to Road Safety [that proposed introducing Freddie’s Law, which was lodged by St. Martin Constable Karen Shenton-Stone] is a complex and extensive piece of collaborative work involving officers from across Government. 

“I am very proud of the team's commitment to improving road safety and I was delighted to share some of the progress made to date with Mrs Dentskevich. 

“Once again I wish to thank and commend Joanna for her courage and commitment to championing this cause.”

Mrs Dentshevich said that, more than a year on from his accident, Freddie was far better but he still suffered from the effects of concussion, which could last a few years.