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| Drivers who kill could receive life sentences under law reform | Drivers who kill could receive life sentences under law reform |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| Drivers who kill could receive life sentences as part of changes coming into force this week. | Drivers who kill could receive life sentences as part of changes coming into force this week. |
| Judges will be able to hand down life sentences to dangerous drivers who kill and careless drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs. | Judges will be able to hand down life sentences to dangerous drivers who kill and careless drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs. |
| The current penalty for each crime is a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. | The current penalty for each crime is a maximum prison sentence of 14 years. |
| "Those responsible will now face the possibility of life behind bars," Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said. | "Those responsible will now face the possibility of life behind bars," Justice Secretary Dominic Raab said. |
| The changes come into force as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act. | The changes come into force as part of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act. |
| The new legislation will also create an offence of causing serious injury by careless driving, meaning those who inflict long-term or permanent injuries also face tougher sentences. | The new legislation will also create an offence of causing serious injury by careless driving, meaning those who inflict long-term or permanent injuries also face tougher sentences. |
| The proposed law change was first announced in 2017 and comes into effect on Tuesday. | The proposed law change was first announced in 2017 and comes into effect on Tuesday. |
| The increase will apply to offences in England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland, which has separate road safety laws. | The increase will apply to offences in England, Scotland and Wales, but not Northern Ireland, which has separate road safety laws. |
| Crash case delays saw family feeling 'forgotten' | Crash case delays saw family feeling 'forgotten' |
| Killer drivers to receive life sentences | Killer drivers to receive life sentences |
| Mr Raab added: "Too many lives have been lost to reckless behaviour behind the wheel, devastating families." | Mr Raab added: "Too many lives have been lost to reckless behaviour behind the wheel, devastating families." |
| Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "Drivers exhibiting the worst behaviour on the roads are a danger to us all. | Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, said: "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." | "Those who behave with disregard to the risk they pose deserve the stiffest penalties when their actions rob others of their lives." |
| Mr Gooding said he hoped the threat of a life sentence will be enough to cause those who drive recklessly to change their ways, the Sunday Express reported. | Mr Gooding said he hoped the threat of a life sentence will be enough to cause those who drive recklessly to change their ways, the Sunday Express reported. |
| "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," he said. | "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," he said. |
| The government said it wants to ensure "punishments reflect the severity of crimes and the misery killer drivers leave in their wake". | The government said it wants to ensure "punishments reflect the severity of crimes and the misery killer drivers leave in their wake". |
| It said the Crown Prosecution Service will still charge people with murder or manslaughter where there is evidence that a vehicle was used as a weapon to kill or commit grievous bodily harm. | It said the Crown Prosecution Service will still charge people with murder or manslaughter where there is evidence that a vehicle was used as a weapon to kill or commit grievous bodily harm. |
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