Editorial: We all make mistakes

SAD CASE: Accidents happen no matter how much we tighten regulations.

We all make mistakes.

However the gravity of the consequences can differ drastically.

I've spilt red wine on the carpet, cursed and then spent the next 30 minutes trying to prevent a stain.

A simple mistake caused by inattention.

Laura Tantrum, 17, was driving to school last year when she made a mistake - unfortunately it was fatal.

She crossed the centre line on Prebensen Dr and collided head-on into an oncoming car.

Theodora Anderson, 24 was the driver of the other car. Her car was pushed down a steep bank beside the road and rolled before coming to rest on its wheels. Theodora was killed in the accident.

Tantrum pleaded guilty to careless driving causing death and careless driving causing injury after the crash. She was sentenced to one year supervision and disqualified from driving for one year.

Some would say, it was a light sentence for taking a life.

However the judge took into account that it was a minor fault that lead to the serious consequence. Tantrum had not been texting, was not drunk and not speeding.

I dare say such a mistake could happen to any of us.

It seems Ms Anderson's family take this view of the accident as well as they have no ill will towards Tantrum.

It's a sad case. A young woman lost her life while another young woman will have to live with the knowledge that her mistake caused the accident.

A few years back the Government tightened up licence testing in a bid to stop young people dying our roads.

No matter how much we tighten regulation, accidents will still happen.