Politics

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Press release: Huge response to dangerous driving proposals

Thousands of people have had their say on plans to introduce life sentences for killer drivers.

The consultation, which opened on 5 December 2016, attracted over 1,000 replies in just 3 days, reaching more than 9,000 when it closed yesterday (1 February 2017).

The overwhelming response is one of the highest for a Ministry of Justice (MOJ) consultation, and included contributions from victims, bereaved families, road safety groups and charities.

Justice Minister Sam Gyimah said:

Killer drivers ruin lives. While we can never compensate for the loss of a loved one, we are clear that the punishment must fit the crime.

So I would like to thank the thousands who have contributed to this consultation. We will now carefully consider each of these and will set out our plans as soon as possible.

The consultation sought views on whether the current maximum penalties available to the courts should be increased.

The proposals included:

  • increasing the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life
  • increasing the maximum sentence for causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs from 14 years to life
  • creating a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving, with a maximum sentence of 3 years
  • increasing minimum driving bans for those convicted of causing death.

The plans build on the government’s pledge to consider sentencing powers available to the courts for the most serious driving offences. The government will consider the responses and set out its plans in the coming months.

Notes to editors

  • The UK has one of the best road safety records in the world – but deaths and serious injuries cause devastation to victims and their families.
  • The consultation looked at the most serious road offences. It did not cover other driving or regulatory offences such as speeding, the setting of drink drive limits, the basic offences of careless or dangerous driving and driving whilst using a mobile phone.
  • This follows further action in 2015, when the government increased the maximum custodial sentence for causing death whilst driving when disqualified from 2 to 10 years. A new offence of causing serious injury when driving whilst disqualified was also created, with a maximum penalty of 4 years imprisonment. It also brought into force the statutory requirement to extend a driving ban to take account of any time spent in custody.
  • Sentencing remains a matter for independent judges, with decisions made based on the full facts of the case.
  • For more information call the MOJ press office on 020 3334 3503 or 020 3334 3529.
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HM Government • • •

Improving access to critical care key – Vaughan Gething

Health Secretary Vaughan Gething today outlined how the NHS is working to improve care for critically ill people in Wales. The delivery plan for the critically ill to 2020 is published today [Thursday 2 February].  

Thursday 02 February 2017

Mr Gething said:

“This plan, developed by critical care specialists, sets out how the NHS will meet the needs of people who are critically ill, or are at risk of becoming critically ill. It also outlines plans to improve the early identification of patients, which is key to preventing unnecessary transfers to busy critical care units. 

“We know that there is work to do to improve access to critical care in Wales and we are seeing progress; the group has identified areas where bed numbers could be increased without significant staffing increases. 


“This plan has been developed by The Critical Care Trauma Network and Critically Ill Implementation Group and outlines the actions we need to take over the next three years.

“Wales faces the same challenges we see elsewhere in the UK in terms of recruitment and rising demand for critical care, and we expect health boards to collaborate and plan services on a regional basis to deliver high-quality care.

“We have seen an improvement in survival rates in recent years and also reductions in the numbers of patients who are re-admitted to critical care soon after leaving it, which is encouraging.  This plan outlines how health boards can work together to build on this progress for the future.”

 
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Welsh Government • •

After years of dither and delay, it is welcome that progress is finally being made on runway expansion – Andy McDonald

Andy McDonald MP, Labour’s Shadow Transport Secretary, commenting on the Government’s statement on Heathrow, said:

“Labour has consistently been pushing for a decision on runway expansion in the South East of England so after years of dither and delay, it is welcome that progress is finally being made.

“However, there are still outstanding issues including how Heathrow expansion can be squared with meeting the UK’s climate change objectives and demonstrating that local noise and environmental impacts can be minimised.

“This can be achieved, but only in the context of a coherent aviation strategy that works for the country not just London. It starts with confirming our membership of the European Aviation Safety Agency, as well as action on cleaner fuels and improving road and rail access to our international gateway airports.”

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Labour • • •