Drink drive campaigner wins Brake road safety award

Rehman Chishti, MP for Gillingham and Rainham, has been named Brake’s Road Safety Parliamentarian of the Month for his work campaigning for tougher penalties for repeat drink drivers.

Mr Chishti launched his campaign following concerns about the high numbers of persistent drink drivers and the inadequacy of criminal sanctions for those who do so.

He tabled a Drink Driving (Repeat Offenders) Bill in July which calls for drivers to receive a prison sentence of up to two years if convicted for a third time or more. The Bill received an unopposed first reading and a second reading is scheduled for 22 November.

Mr Chishti has also raised the issue of drink driving with the road safety minister Stephen Hammond and justice minister Jeremy Wright, and asked for Government support. He has also appeared on various BBC news and current affairs programmes to discuss the Bill and has written to The Times.

Julie Townsend, Brake deputy chief executive, said: “Brake fully endorses Rehman’s campaign. Tougher penalties help to deter people from breaking vital safety laws, which is critical in reducing the number of people tragically killed or hurt on our roads.

“We are delighted to recognise Rehman’s determined hard work raising awareness and pushing for change on this issue, and will continue to support his efforts until we see a change in the law.”

Rehman Chishti said: “I am honoured to be named Road Safety Parliamentarian of the Month. Too many people are still being killed or seriously injured on our roads as a result of drinking and driving. To tackle those who persist, we need to give the courts the additional powers they need.

“This award will help to focus attention on this very important road safety issue and I would like to thank Brake for supporting this campaign.”

Contact Brake on 01484 559909 for more information.