The Government has announced that legislation to introduce life sentences for drivers who kill others will be introduced to parliament next year.
The move forms part of major sentencing reforms to be unveiled by the Lord Chancellor in a White paper this week. Specifically, the measures around driving include plans to:
- Increase the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life
- Increase the maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs from 14 years to life
- Create a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving
Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake said: “Crash victims have waited three long years for this announcement. Road crime is real crime and it is high-time that the government, and the law, recognised this.
“Years of government inaction have added to the suffering of road victims who have not been delivered the justice they, and their loved ones, deserve. The government must now implement these tougher sentences as first priority, delivering on their overdue promise to road crash victims, and then urgently initiate a review of the flawed legal framework for road justice.
“Driving is a privilege not a right and yet our flawed legal system continues to allow convicted dangerous drivers on the roads where they can endanger others. We all want safer roads but we will only achieve this if the law treats road crime with the seriousness it deserves.”
3 thoughts on “Life sentences for killer drivers”
About time this was actioned as so many drivers use they’re vehicles as weapons to aim at oncoming vehicles causing mayhem, serious injuries and indeed death, then driving away from the scene with absolutely no regard for they’re actions and effect on the people they have targetted
Absolutely agree with this change in the law and the last comment. Young people far to often think they have a right to drive. With any right comes responsibility. They clearly know the possible consequences of dangerous driving and should face the full weight of the law when they fail society.
We would not tolerate someone waving a fire arm around reckless so why should we accept people, not just young people, using a car as a dangerous weapon.
I’m certainly not holding my breath. I have never come across the full term sentence. The law is designed for the criminal and this is far too late. Just remember the mobile phone that has killed so many people just hasn’t worked. Nobody has any balls to sentence the guilty. People just do not understand their responsibility when they get their licence.