A coroner wants criminal liability imposed on people who do not stop recidivist drink-drivers from getting behind the wheel of a car.
The recommendation comes in findings into the death of Rotorua woman Whittney Robertson, 23, who was killed by a repeat drink-driver in a head-on collision near Atiamuri in the central North Island.
Royland Jones had four previous drink-drive convictions. Despite this, friends are said to have known he was driving under the influence on the night of the crash in May 2009.
Jones is now serving four years in jail.
Rotorua Coroner Wallace Bain wants lawmakers to urgently consider criminal culpability for those who stand by and allow repeat drink-drivers on the road.
Dr Bain says a culpable person would be anyone in a position to do something and who fails to act.
He also wants every person convicted of a second drink-driving offence put on a watchlist and all vehicles of repeat drink-drivers forfeited to the Crown.
