The mother of a man who was killed in a hit-and run-incident in Mossman four years ago has joined forces with other hit-and-run victims’ families, calling on the community to sign a petition demanding harsher penalties for hit-and-run drivers.

Janice Bradley, the mother of Scott ‘Scotty’ Bradley, is renewing calls for signatures following the sentencing of the man who hit her son in September 2016.

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“Five hit-and-run fatalities: Scott Bradley (24), Sharon Cuthbert (39), Ken Altoft (56), Michael Bowden (20) and Harley Amos (18).

“These are just a few of the innocent Queenslanders who lost their lives because of drivers disobeying the law, drivers who chose to leave the scene of the accident,” Ms Bradley said.

“Currently the weak Queensland laws allow most hit-and-run drivers to walk free and to continue to drive on our roads. Hit and runs are cowardly acts which need harsher penalties. Why is three years’ imprisonment OK in this state, when WA is 20 years?”

The family of 20-year-old Michael Bowden who was hit and killed by a vehicle in Weipa in 2018, launched the petition to the Queensland Government, which has gained 28,739 signatures. 

Ms Bradley said she and these other families have been fighting to update the laws and are still waiting for the government to take notice.

“Most other states changed their laws back in 2006. Queenslanders are still waiting. The Bowden family has gathered over 28,600 signatures.

“The more signatures we get the more likely the government will have to act to protect our communities. We don’t want other families to have to suffer daily like we do.”

The petition can be found here.