There was emotional debate in the House of Assembly yesterday on amendments to the Highway Traffic Act.
The proposed changes would increase the fines for street racing, speeding, distracted driving and stunting on the highway. The amendments come due to advocacy from groups like the Stand for Hannah Foundation.
Grand Falls-Windsor Buchans MHA Chris Tibbs, a former paramedic, supports the amendments.
Tibbs recounted a close call he and his wife had while traveling on the highway in Central Newfoundland this summer. He says a car in the opposite lane crossed over the centre line and he narrowly avoided a collision with the vehicle which was being driven by a woman who was on her phone.
Topsail-Paradise MHA Paul Dinn lost a brother, a popular teacher, in a highway accident on the Outer Ring Road several years ago.
He described the shock of losing his brother to something that was preventable.