Life sentences for killer drivers

• Legislation to introduce life sentences for killer drivers will be brought next year
• Tougher penalties for drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs
• Part of landmark sentencing reforms to be unveiled this week

Drivers who cause death by speeding, racing or using a mobile phone could face life sentences under new laws being introduced to parliament next year.

The changes deliver on a government pledge to introduce tougher sentences for killer drivers. It follows concerns from families and campaigners, as well as some judges, that the current 14-year maximum fails to reflect the severity of the crime.

Offenders who cause loss of life by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs could also face life in prison.

Additionally, a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving will be created. It seeks to ensure that careless drivers who ruin lives and leave their victims with long-term injuries are punished appropriately.

The move forms part of major sentencing reforms to be unveiled by the Lord Chancellor in a White paper this week. The raft of measures aim to better protect the public and restore confidence in the justice system, paving the way for legislation early next year.

The Lord Chancellor, Robert Buckland QC MP said:

“This government has been clear that punishments must fit the crime but too often families tell us this isn’t the case with killer drivers.

“So, today I am announcing that we will bring forward legislation early next year to introduce life sentences for dangerous drivers who kill on our roads, and ensure they feel the full force of the law.

“But this is only one part of our plan to crack down on crime and restore confidence in the justice system and I will set out further measures this week.”

The proposals follow overwhelming support from victims, bereaved families and road safety campaigners expressed in a government consultation which received over 9,000 responses. Specifically, the measures include plans to:

• increase the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life
• increase the maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs from 14 years to life
• create a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving

In 2019, 174 people were sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving with a further 19 convicted of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

The move builds on wide-ranging reforms across the criminal justice system, which include recruiting 20,000 police officers, building extra prison places and ensuring the most serious offenders spend longer in prison.

Notes to editors:

• Sentencing is a matter for independent courts who take into account the full facts of each case.
• Typical examples of dangerous driving can include:
• • racing, going too fast, or driving aggressively;
  • ignoring traffic lights, road signs or warnings from passengers;
  • overtaking dangerously;
  • driving under the influence of drink or drugs, including prescription drugs;
  • driving when unfit, including having an injury, being unable to see clearly, not taking prescribed drugs, or being sleepy;
  • knowing the vehicle has a dangerous fault or an unsafe load;
  • the driver being avoidably and dangerously distracted, for example by:
  • using a hand-held phone or other equipment
  • reading, or looking at a map
  • talking to and looking at a passenger
  • lighting a cigarette, changing a CD or tape, tuning the radio.
• Examples of careless driving can include:
• • overtaking on the inside;
  • driving too close to another vehicle;
  • driving through a red light by mistake;
  • turning into the path of another vehicle;
  • the driver being avoidably distracted by tuning the radio, lighting a cigarette etc.
  • flashing lights to force other drivers to give way;
  • misusing lanes to gain advantage over other drivers;
  • unnecessarily staying in an overtaking lane;
  • unnecessarily slow driving or braking;
  • dazzling other drivers with un-dipped headlights.
• The changes are the result of a government consultation which closed in 2017 and sought views on the most serious driving offences and penalties relating to causing death or serious injury.
• 90% of respondents to the consultation thought there should be a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving. They noted that without a specific offence which reflects the harm caused, offenders could only be convicted of careless driving, an offence that has a maximum penalty of a fine.
• 70% of responses thought that the maximum penalty for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving should be increased to life imprisonment. Vast majority of respondents also agreed that the maximum penalty for causing death by careless driving whilst under the influence of drink and drugs should also be life.
• This follows further action in 2015, when the government increased the maximum penalty for causing death whilst driving when disqualified from 2 to 10 years. A new offence of causing serious injury when driving whilst disqualified was also created, with a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment. It also brought into force the statutory requirement to extend a driving ban to take account of any time spent in custody.