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Brake hails better justice
for victims of disqualified drivers as tougher sentences come into effect
THE UK road safety charity, Brake has
congratulated the government on delivering desperately needed improvements to
justice for bereaved and injured victims of disqualified drivers, as part of the
Criminal Justice and Courts Act coming into force on Monday, on 13 April 2015.
The new rules mean anyone convicted of causing death by driving while
disqualified will face a maximum of 10 years in prison, up from only 2 years
previously. Drivers convicted of the new offence of causing serious injury by
driving while disqualified will face up to 4 years in prison. A wider
review of all driving offences and charges by the Ministry of Justice is
ongoing. Ed Morrow, campaigns officer for Brake, the road safety charity, said:-
"This is an important day for everybody involved in campaigning for better
justice for victims of criminal driving. Getting behind the wheel when a court
has already found you to be a danger on the road, and has disqualified you from
doing so, is one of the most selfish decision you can make as a driver. It is
entirely right that maximum sentences are being increased, and we hope that
judges will make use of them where appropriate. This is a good first step to
securing better justice for victims and families, many of whom have been left
feeling betrayed by inappropriate charges and paltry sentences. There are a
number of other urgent issues with how the justice system handles cases of
criminal driving, and Brake will be pressuring whoever forms the next government
to follow the current Ministry of Justice review through to a satisfactory
conclusion." |
