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Following a recent consultation exercise over proposals to introduce tougher sentences for dangerous or careless drivers, the UK Government has confirmed its intention to:
In 2016, 157 people were sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving, with a further 32 convicted of causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence.
The Government says the new, tougher sentences will deliver on its pledge to consider the sentencing powers available to the courts for the most serious driving offences - making sure that punishment reflects the harm caused to victims and their families.
Last month the Department for Transport launched a review to consider whether a new offence equivalent to causing death by careless or dangerous driving should be introduced for cyclists.
“We’ve taken a long hard look at driving sentences, and we received 9,000 submissions to our consultation,” said Justice Minister Dominic Raab. “Based on the seriousness of the worst cases, the anguish of the victims’ families, and maximum penalties for other serious offences such as manslaughter, we intend to introduce life sentences of imprisonment for those who wreck lives by driving dangerously, drunk or high on drugs.”
“We will introduce a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving, punishable by imprisonment, to fill a gap in the law and reflect the seriousness of some of the injuries suffered by victims in this category of case,” he added.
If you have been charged with a road traffic offence, or other criminal law offences, then contact our specialist criminal defence lawyers today.
