Skip advert
Advertisement

Dangerous drivers who cause death could face life in prison

A new law makes causing death by careless driving equivalent to manslaughter, with tougher potential sentencing

Speed camera accident

A law coming into force this week will give judges options to hand out much tougher sentences to drivers who cause death through the worst cases of careless or dangerous driving.

As part of the controversial Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, drivers who kill on the roads will face sentencing as severe as that facing offenders guilty of manslaughter charges, which in some cases could include life imprisonment.

The act also includes a new offence of causing serious injury by careless, or inconsiderate, driving, which allows for imprisonment of up to 12 months and the imposition of a fine.

Advertisement - Article continues below

While the new act of parliament has proved controversial for what campaigners have alleged is a ‘chilling effect’ on public rights of protest, the updates regarding the most serious driving offences have received widespread support. Safety organisations and victims groups have long called for tougher sanctions on drivers receiving sentences they regard as too lenient, and the changes to the law were first proposed back in 2017. After the act received royal assent in May, the changes come into force this week in England, Wales and Scotland, but not in Northern Ireland where different rules apply.

Before the changes were applied, the maximum sentence for careless driving was 14 years, but much shorter sentences have been commonplace. With the threat of a life term now on the statute books, the government hopes drivers will think much more carefully about the risks of using mobile phones while driving, while dangerous drivers killing while high on drugs or drunk will potentially be kept off the roads for longer.

"Too many lives have been lost to reckless behaviour behind the wheel, devastating families”, said Justice Secretary Dominic Raab. "Those responsible will now face the possibility of life behind bars."

RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding told the Daily Express: "Drivers exhibiting the worst behaviour on the roads are a danger to us all.

"Those who behave with disregard to the risk they pose deserve the stiffest penalties when their actions rob others of their lives. Involuntary manslaughter already carries a maximum penalty of up to life imprisonment so it is hard to argue that killing someone with a car doesn't warrant a possible sanction of similar severity."

Do you agree with this change in the law? Tell us your thoughts in the comments...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Current affairs and features editor

Chris covers all aspects of motoring life for Auto Express. Over a long career he has contributed news and car reviews to brands such as Autocar, WhatCar?, PistonHeads, Goodwood and The Motor Trader.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants
Finance contract, car key and calculator on desk

Car finance scandal: Supreme Court hearing could halve number of claimants

Scandal involving car finance commission could see motorists entitled to billions of pounds in payouts
News
19 Dec 2024
Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns
Emissions tests questioned

Dieselgate is back! Thousands of cars could be recalled as scandal returns

The DfT is currently investigating as many as 47 models across several brands that are suspected to use diesel defeat devices
News
14 Nov 2024
MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars
MOT

MoT failure rate is worse for vans than cars

More than a third of light commercials failed their first MoT last year, new figures show
News
12 Nov 2024
Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers
Renault Zoe being driven in Paris

Paris mayor says ‘non’ to through traffic with plans to fine drivers

Drivers entering Paris city centre will have to prove residency or a valid destination to avoid a fine
News
5 Nov 2024

Most Popular

Driver whose towbar voided his insurance wins payout
Towbar

Driver whose towbar voided his insurance wins payout

Allianz tells Auto Express it was ‘right in principle’, but has agreed to cover the claim in full
News
20 Dec 2024
Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland is simply stunning value at £145 a month
Vauxhall Grandland - main image

Car Deal of the Day: Vauxhall Grandland is simply stunning value at £145 a month

The outgoing Vauxhall Grandland is fine transport for all the family. It’s our Deal of the Day for 18 December
News
18 Dec 2024
New BMW 330e 2024 review: one of the best plug-in company cars you can buy
BMW 330e - front tracking

New BMW 330e 2024 review: one of the best plug-in company cars you can buy

The facelifted BMW 330e PHEV is a top business choice
Road tests
18 Dec 2024