Law Firm Supports Proposals To Overhaul Penalties Handed Out For Driving Offences

Expert serious injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have welcomed plans to impose life sentences on drivers who kill. 

The Government is set to introduce tougher life jail terms for motorists who cause death by dangerous driving as well as careless drivers who kill while under the influence of alcohol or drugs for whom the current maximum sentence is 14 years. 

The Ministry of Justice has announced the plans following a consultation into driving offences and penalties.

Motorists who cause death as a result of speeding, racing, or using a mobile phone are set to face penalties equivalent to manslaughter, with prison terms also set to be increased from the current 14 years to life. Other proposals include the introduction of a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving.

Claire Newstead, is a partner at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office and specialist serious injury expert.

Expert Opinion

At Irwin Mitchell we often see first-hand the devastation and heart-break that is caused by the reckless and selfish actions of drivers who pose a real danger on our roads.

“I am sure there is more detail to come in the proposals but I welcome the Government’s announcement to introduce tougher sentences.

“While it is sadly too late for many families that have been ripped apart because of drivers who kill or seriously injure loved ones, we hope that these planned tougher sentences act as a deterrent to motorists and that they think about the consequences of their actions, so the number of people killed or badly injured on our roads reduces.” Claire Newstead - Partner

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