This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/04/campaigners-plan-killer-drivers-life-sentences

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Campaigners welcome plan for killer drivers to face life sentences Campaigners welcome plan for killer drivers to face life sentences
(35 minutes later)
Dangerous drivers who kill while using a mobile phone at the wheel could face a life sentence under new plans unveiled by ministers, bringing the punishment in line with those charged with manslaughter. Dangerous drivers who kill while using a mobile phone at the wheel could face a life sentence under plans unveiled by ministers, bringing the punishment in line with those charged with manslaughter.
Motorists who cause death by speeding or street racing – or through careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs – could also be handed life sentences under new plans to increase the 14-year limit for the offence. Motorists who cause death by speeding or street racing, or through careless driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, could also be handed life sentences if proposals to increase the 14-year limit for the offence are adopted.
The current penalty usually sees people released after just seven years and in 2015 the average sentence for drivers who killed was just 45.6 months, or less than four years. Under the current penalty, people are usually released after seven years. In 2015, the average sentence for drivers who killed was 45.6 months, or less than four years.
Now the justice minister Sam Gyimah has said the maximum sentence should rise to a life term to ensure the “punishment fits the crime”. The justice minister Sam Gyimah said the maximum sentence should rise to a life term.
“Killer drivers ruin lives,” he said. “Their actions cause immeasurable pain to families, who must endure tragic, unnecessary losses. While [it is] impossible to compensate for the death of a loved one, we are determined to make sure the punishment fits the crime.”“Killer drivers ruin lives,” he said. “Their actions cause immeasurable pain to families, who must endure tragic, unnecessary losses. While [it is] impossible to compensate for the death of a loved one, we are determined to make sure the punishment fits the crime.”
He added: “My message is clear. If you drive dangerously and kill on our roads, you could face a life sentence.” “My message is clear: if you drive dangerously and kill on our roads, you could face a life sentence.”
Last year 122 people were convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, including those speeding, street racing and using a mobile phone. A further 21 people were convicted of causing death by careless driving while under the influence. Last year, 122 people were convicted of causing death by dangerous driving, including those who were speeding, street racing and using a mobile phone. A further 21 people were convicted of causing death by careless driving while under the influence.
A Ministry of Justice consultation will seek views on whether the current maximum penalty available to the courts should be increased.A Ministry of Justice consultation will seek views on whether the current maximum penalty available to the courts should be increased.
As well as plans to increase the maximum sentence of causing death by dangerous driving – or careless driving – to life the proposals include creating a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving which would carry a maximum sentence of three years. The department will also consider increasing the minimum driving bans for those convicted of causing death on the roads. As well as plans to increase the maximum sentence of causing death by dangerous driving, or careless driving, to a life term, the proposals include creating a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving, which would carry a maximum sentence of three years.
Road safety campaigners have welcomed the news but said ministers should go even further in punishing what the RAC described as “an epidemic” of motorists texting, checking messages and making calls while driving. The MoJ will also consider increasing the minimum driving bans for those convicted of causing death on the roads.
Gary Rae, campaigns director for the road safety charity Brake, said: “This is a vindication of our efforts, and those of victims’ families, calling for change through our Roads to Justice campaign. For too long, the justice system has treated them as second-class citizens.” But he said there were concerns that the charge of “careless” driving remained. Road safety campaigners welcomed the proposals, but said ministers should go further in punishing what the RAC described as an “epidemic” of motorists texting, checking messages and making calls while driving.
“Some of the strongest feedback we have received from the families we work with is that there is nothing careless about taking someone else’s life,” he said. Gary Rae, the campaigns director for road safety charity Brake, said: “This is a vindication of our efforts, and those of victims’ families, calling for change through our roads to justice campaign. For too long, the justice system has treated them as second-class citizens.”
“We also want clarification on whether the current automatic 50% discount, where convicted drivers serve only half their jail term, will still apply for these new proposed sentences.” But he said there were concerns that the charge of “careless” driving remained. “Some of the strongest feedback we have received from the families we work with is that there is nothing careless about taking someone else’s life,” he said.
Last week a lorry driver was jailed for six years for killing two men when he ploughed into them just four seconds after using Facebook. “We also want clarification on whether the current automatic 50% discount, where convicted drivers serve only half their jail term, will still apply for these new, proposed sentences.”
Keith Mees, 49, had been sending a Facebook message to his girlfriend telling her he was splitting up with her when he drove into a line of traffic, crushing Marian Olteanu, 35, and Ion Calin, 42, to death. He had also been streaming YouTube clips and chatting on the phone. Last week, a lorry driver was sentenced to six years in prison for killing two men when he ploughed into them four seconds after using Facebook.
Keith Mees, 49, had been sending a message to his girlfriend saying he was splitting up with her when he drove into a line of traffic, crushing Marian Olteanu, 35, and Ion Calin, 42, to death. He had also been streaming YouTube videos and chatting on the phone.
The Department for Transport has already increased the punishment for those using a mobile at the wheel. The fine has risen from £100 to £200 and the penalty points have been doubled from three points to six so that those found to be offending on more than one occasion will hit the 12-point threshold for a ban. The Department for Transport has increased the punishment for those using a mobile at the wheel.
The fine rose from £100 to £200 and penalty points doubled from three to six, so those found to be offending on more than one occasion will reach the 12-point threshold for a ban.