A tragic car crash which claimed the life of a Lebrina woman illustrates the importance of drivers obeying speed advisory signs, a Tasmania coroner says.
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In handing down her findings into the death of Corrie Collean Stone, Coroner Olivia McTaggart said Ms Stone died as the result of neck and chest injuries caused by a motor vehicle crash on December 29, 2018, at Lebrina.
Ms Stone, 69, was driving south on Golconda Road when a station wagon travelling in the opposite direction crossed onto the wrong side of the road and collided head-on with her vehicle.
She died at the scene.
Ms McTaggart said the woman driving the station wagon, Kim Fayers-Clarke, had been driving too fast.
"On the approach to the crash area, Fayers-Clarke drove past a 55km/h advisory sign," she said.
"Her speed of 100km/h was too fast for the conditions and the evidence indicates that she was not paying proper attention to her driving.
"As she exited the left hand curve, she braked harshly causing the ABS system to engage, with the vehicle skidding on the roadway, crossing onto the wrong side of the road and into the path of Ms Stone's vehicle."
Ms McTaggart said Fayers-Clarke, 53 of Newnham, was on her way to see her father who had been admitted to hospital and she was unfamiliar with the vehicle she was driving, having only driven it once before.
She said Fayers-Clarke had been driving a registered and roadworthy vehicle, had a current driver's license, was medically fit, had no alcohol or illicit drugs in her body, had a good driving record and was wearing her seatbelt.
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Fayers-Clarke was charged, pleaded guilty to and was subsequently convicted of causing Ms Stone's death by negligent driving.
On February 5, 2020, she was sentenced to three months' jail wholly suspended for two years on the condition she did not commit another offence punishable by imprisonment during that period and she was disqualified from driving for two years from that date.
Ms McTaggart said in a report by Crash Investigation Services officer First Class Constable Nigel Housego it was noted Northern Crash Investigation Services officers had attended a disproportionate number of fatal and serious crashes on Lilydale Road and Golconda Road between Rocherlea and the intersection with Pipers Brook Road.
"He commented particularly upon the fact that unsatisfactory features of the corner in this case, outside number 606 Golconda Road, relating to elevation and friction indicate there should be consideration given to a reduction of the speed limit to 80km/h on this section of road, as well as an appropriate enforcement strategy," she said.
Ms McTaggart did not make any recommendations in light of the fact the Launceston City Council had applied for a speed reduction from 100km/h to 80km/h for that section of road.
"This application has recently been approved by the Department of State Growth, which, when implemented, represents an important safety measure in preventing further crashes," she said.