People convicted of causing death by dangerous driving should receive harsher penalties, Durham’s Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner, Ron Hogg, has said. Responding to a Government consultation exercise, Ron said: “People who kill someone as a consequence of very bad driving such as racing in the street, deliberately under-taking, or driving when they know they are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, are committing a similar offence to manslaughter in my opinion. It is only right that they should face a similar penalty, and for me that means a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.” The Ministry of Justice is currently consulting on the following issues:
• The distinction between ‘careless’ and ‘dangerous’ driving
• A perceived ‘gap in the law’ for causing serious injury by careless driving
• Maximum penalties for causing death
• Driving disqualifications
Ron added: “I also think that the minimum period of disqualification should be extended from one year to five years.
When I think of the harm caused to families by the actions of people who know the risks they are taking, a year seems to me to be far too short. And anyone who is convicted twice should lose their licence for life.” The consultation is open to anyone who wishes to respond before Wednesday 1 February, and can be found on the Ministry of Justice website
