Not a single offender has been handed the maximum 14-year sentence for causing death by dangerous driving since Parliament lengthened the sentence in 2004.
This is the headline finding in a report published to mark the launch of a new campaign, which calls for tougher sentencing for drivers who kill or seriously injure others.
The ‘Drive for Justice’ campaign, launched yesterday (22 Nov) by the regional newspaper publisher Johnston Press, is lobbying Government to re-work guidelines to enable judges to use existing powers and impose tougher sentences for the worst offenders.
The campaign is backed by a number of stakeholders including Brake, RoadPeace and Cycling UK.
The investigative report reveals that, on average, drivers who kill receive a four year prison sentence.
The report points to figures, obtained from a FOI request to the Ministry of Justice, which show that between 2006 and 2015, 111 people convicted of causing death by dangerous driving walked free from court.
79 were given a suspended sentence, with 14 given community service, 10 people dealt with through a fine and two received a conditional discharge. Three got an absolute discharge, while three others were dealt with by ‘other means’.
The launch of the new campaign and publication of the report follows last Sunday’s World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, and coincides with National Road Safety Week 2016 which runs until Sunday 27 November.
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