Death drivers face life in jail
KILLER drivers in Halton could face life behind bars after plans to increase maximum sentences were announced.
A Ministry Of Justice (MOJ) spokesman said ministers have confirmed drivers who cause death by speeding, racing, or using a mobile phone could face sentences equivalent to manslaughter, with maximum penalties raised from 14 years to life.
Those who cause death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs will also face life sentences.
A new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving will also be created.
The move follows an overwhelming response to to a Government consultation which revealed substantial backing for the plans from a wide range of people including victims, bereaved families and road safety experts.
Justice minister Dominic Raab said: “We’ve taken a long hard look at driving sentences, and we received 9,000 submissions to our consultation.
“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.”
The measures were confirmed in a Government response to a consultation which sought views on whether current maximum penalties available to the courts should be increased, and received more than 1,000 replies in just three days ● when launched last December.
It reached more than 9,000 when it closed in February.
The proposals include increasing the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life.
They also include increasing the maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs from 14 years to life behind bars.
The MOJ spokesman said last year 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. Kitchens, Replacement Doors, Sinks, Worktops, Granite, Quartz, Bedrooms, Drawer Chests, Garden Buildings & Sheds, Garden Furniture, Ornaments, Table & Chair Sets, Bathroom Furniture Christmas Gifts & Decorations