Long-awaited plans to increase maximum sentences for drivers who cause death by speeding, racing or using a mobile phone have been announced by the Ministry of Justice.
Under these plans, offenders who cause death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs will also face life sentences, and a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving will be created.
Road safety charity Brake has welcomed the announcement, describing it as a “major victory” for the families of victims and also for charities like Brake that have campaigned for more fitting punishments for road crimes that kill and seriously injure people.
"We applaud the Government for at last recognising that the statute books have been weighed against thousands of families who have had their lives torn apart through the actions of drivers who have flagrantly broken the law,” commented Jason Wakeford, director of campaigns for Brake.
"In addition to tougher penalties, Government must also make road policing a national priority, reversing savage cuts to front line resources so that laws are properly enforced in the first place,” he added. “Figures released only last month reveal that almost 1,800 people were killed on British roads last year - a four per cent rise since 2015. There is an urgent need for a road collision investigation branch, similar to those already in existence for air, rail and sea, so that lessons can be learned to prevent future deaths and serious injuries on the roads."
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