A $10,000 BILLBOARD was displayed out the front of the Mount Gambier Courthouse last week advocating for stricter sentencing of offenders found guilty of causing road-related accidents.
The Dobbins family was struck with the tragic loss of son, grandson and brother Luke Peter Dobbins last year after the 22-year-old was killed in a fatal crash at Rocky Camp.
Several of Luke’s close relatives travelled thousands of kilometres to provide victim impact statements in a court hearing on Wednesday last week, transporting the billboard along with them.
Due to health-related issues, Luke’s father and Renmark resident Keith Dobbins was unable to travel, but was represented by wife and Luke’s mother Veronica, grandparents Roy, Margaret and Murray and Luke’s brother Danny.
Keith said days after the defendant’s charges were reduced on February 10, the idea of creating a billboard drawing attention to the family’s message was floated.
He said the billboard cost around $10,000 and was built in his backyard with the help of Danny.
“In the end, there was a lot of worry of what was going to happen next,” Keith said.
“It is not just Luke’s case.
“The laws are totally ridiculous, you get more for drink driving and being pulled over, not hurting anybody.
“The government is talking the talk and beating their guns about the road toll, but have not got the walk behind them.”
With the board being positioned right outside the courthouse’s front door, Keith hoped it sent a strong message.
“The billboard is definitely not finished with yet,” he said.
“It is not just a one off, that billboard is collapsible and is built to travel.
“I hope it will be lurking in the background of the next court hearing and the trailer will also be at the crash site during June to mark Luke’s death.”
While acknowledging it could take a mere second for something to go wrong on the road, Keith said there were ways accidents could be eliminated.
“I am aware what can happen when you are driving, it can only take a minor incident and something terrible can happen,” he said.
“The government is urging people to slow down and be more careful on the roads, but the people causing the accidents are basically walking away with nothing.”
The defendant is next scheduled to appear in court on May 1 for sentencing.
