Drivers in the UK could face significantly harsher penalties, including a minimum of 20 years in prison, for causing death by dangerous driving under proposed legal changes.
Public Petition Demands Tougher Sentencing
A petition hosted on the official Parliamentary website is urging the Labour Party government to implement stricter punishments for serious driving offences. The petition, started by Kimberly-Ann Morgan, calls for a fundamental overhaul of sentencing guidelines.
It specifically demands that individuals convicted of death by dangerous driving due to drugs should permanently lose their driving licence with no opportunity to ever reapply. Furthermore, it proposes that prison sentences for such crimes should carry a minimum term of 20 years without parole.
Current Law and Charitable Support
This push for reform comes against the backdrop of the existing Road Traffic Act 1988. Currently, under section 2 of the act, the offence of dangerous driving is punishable by a maximum sentence of just two years' imprisonment.
The call for change is strongly supported by road safety charities. RoadPeace, an organisation that supports bereaved families, has been actively campaigning for tougher sentencing for years.
One bereaved family member highlighted the ongoing trauma, stating that the deep and continuous mental health issues suffered by families are often not considered by the Sentencing Council or the Judiciary. Another voice questioned the consistency of sentencing in the current system.
Charity and Government Response Threshold
Ross Moorlock, Chief Executive of the charity Brake, expressed strong views on the matter. He said the number of road deaths should shock and anger society, emphasising that behind every statistic is a family enduring lifelong trauma. He called for immediate action to stop road deaths and injuries.
The petition has a clear path to influence policy. If it gathers 10,000 signatures, the government is obliged to issue an official response. Should support grow to 100,000 signatures, the petition will be considered for a formal debate in Parliament.
For clarity, dangerous driving is legally defined by section 2A of the Road Traffic Act 1988. It is driving that falls far below the standard of a competent and careful driver, where it would be obvious that driving in such a manner would be dangerous. This includes danger of injury to any person or serious damage to property.
