Crash victim's mate urges drink drive law change

Warren Jenkins. Photo / Greg Bowker

People who pick too much shellfish can have their boats and cars seized but drink drivers get to keep their deadly vehicles, says Katherine Kennedy's best friend.

After Warren Jenkins was sentenced yesterday, family and friends stood outside the Auckland District Court staging a silent protest, holding large white crosses representing roadside crosses at crash sites.

Meredith Hurst, who had known Ms Kennedy for about 16 years, asked how a drink-driver with 17 previous convictions was granted bail.

"It's going to continue the way it is if we don't do something about it. We want harsher sentences, change, tougher legislation. Get drunk drivers off the road.

"One of the things I can't believe in New Zealand is they don't get their cars taken off them ... It doesn't make sense to me. You go and pick too many paua at the beach and you get your boat and your car taken off you.

"You haven't killed anybody, you've just taken too many shellfish."