Victoria Moves to Suspend Licences for Drivers Charged in Fatal Crashes

Terri Svoronos is pushing Victoria to automatically suspend the licences of drivers charged with fatal driving offences while on bail. Her 16-year-old son Diego was killed in July 2025 by a driver who was legally allowed to keep driving while awaiting trial. The Victorian Attorney-General has referred her proposal to the Law Reform Commission, and Premier Ben Carroll has committed to closing what he called a legal loophole.

The gap in Victoria’s driving laws

Under current Victorian law, drivers charged with fatal offences do not automatically lose their licence while awaiting trial. Harry Waldron, 23, was charged with dangerous driving causing death after allegedly hitting Diego Dinelli in Bentleigh in July 2025 while speeding and using his phone. Waldron was permitted to keep driving on bail, shocking Svoronos and prompting her campaign. She says most Victorians and even some MPs assume automatic suspension is already the law.

What Svoronos is proposing

Svoronos wants automatic temporary licence suspension for anyone charged with serious offences including culpable driving causing death, dangerous driving causing death, and failing to stop or render assistance. The suspension would be rebuttable, meaning the accused could challenge it in court. She emphasises the measure preserves the presumption of innocence while protecting public safety during trial. Anthony North KC, chair of Victoria’s Law Reform Commission, has agreed to meet with her to discuss the proposal.

Government response and next steps

The Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny told Svoronos the proposal had already been referred to the Law Reform Commission before their meeting. Premier Ben Carroll said “Anyone who takes a life on the road should not be driving” and committed to closing the loophole, though he stopped short of pledging immediate legislative change. Shadow Attorney-General James Newbury said the opposition is deeply concerned by the case and will examine the issue if elected.

Why this matters for drivers and families

The current law means accused drivers can continue working, commuting, and potentially causing further harm while awaiting trial. Svoronos describes the pain of losing Diego as “the most devastating, heart-wrenching gut-tearing pain,” and says the legal gap fails to reflect the severity of fatal crashes. Her campaign highlights a disconnect between public expectation and actual law, one that affects victim families and road safety during the trial period.

Final Thoughts

Victoria is reviewing its driving laws after a mother campaigned for automatic licence suspension for drivers charged with fatal offences. The Law Reform Commission will examine whether existing penalties are appropriate and whether the framework should be strengthened. The outcome could reshape how accused drivers are treated while awaiting trial.

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