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The Law is Changing for Fatal Road Accidents

28 September 2020

Drivers who are found guilty of causing the death of another person in relation to speeding, using a mobile phone whilst driving or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs could receive a sentence of life without parole in prison.  

The current maximum sentence for such crimes Is 14 years, but new legislation set to be introduced in Parliament from early 2021 will see this increase to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment. 

Justice Secretary and Lord Chancellor Robert Buckland 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."

The announcement was made on Monday September 14 2020 and will apply to England, Scotland and Wales. 

Director of Campaigns for the road safety charity Brake, Joshua Harris, said “Crash victims have waited three long years for this announcement. Road crime is real crime and it is high time that the Government, and the law, recognised this.

“Years of government inaction have added to the suffering of road victims who have not been delivered the justice they, and their loved ones, deserve. The Government must now implement these tougher sentences as first priority, delivering on their overdue promise to road crash victims, and then urgently initiate a review of the flawed legal framework for road justice.

“Driving is a privilege not a right and yet our flawed legal system continues to allow convicted dangerous drivers on the roads where they can endanger others. We all want safer roads, but we will only achieve this if the law treats road crime with the seriousness it deserves.”

Driver safety is of paramount importance to all of us at Marshall Leasing. If you would like to know about what we could do to help manage your fleet as safely as possible, please contact us on 01480 414541.

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