Dangerous drivers who kill could face life in jail ~ station of gear

Motorists found guilty of dangerous driving could see the maximum penalty go up from 14 years to life, under new proposals

2016-12-05 10:30

Dangerous drivers who kill or seriously injure others will face tougher sentences, including life imprisonment, under new Government plans to crackdown on dangerous driving.

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has launched a consultation that seeks to raise the maximum penalties for offenders. Under the proposals, drivers causing death by speeding, street racing or while using a mobile phone would face the same sentence as those charged with manslaughter.

The Government wants to raise the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life. Drivers causing death by careless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs would also see the maximum penalty go up from 14 years to life.

• Prime Minister: Phone use behind the wheel as bad as drink-driving

The MoJ wants to introduce a new penalty to those causing serious injury, too. Under the new penalty, sentenced drivers would see a maximum prison sentence of three years. The consultation will run until 1 February 2017.

Last year, 1,713 people were killed in reported road accidents in Great Britain, with 22,137 seriously injured. The same year saw 122 people sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving, with a further 21 convicted of causing death by careless driving.

• Fines for drivers using mobile phones down 86% in 5 years

Justice Minister, Sam Gyimah, said: “Killer drivers ruin lives. Their actions cause immeasurable pain to families, who must endure tragic, unnecessary losses.

While impossible to compensate for the death of a loved one, we are determined to make sure the punishment fits the crime. “My message is clear – if you drive dangerously and kill on our roads, you could face a life sentence.”

What do you think of the new proposals? Tell us in the comments below...

Martin Saarinen

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