MP calls for stricter sentencing for dangerous drivers

10:27am Wednesday 30th December 2009

By Michael Pickard

Watford MP Claire Ward has spoken out in favour of tougher sentences for dangerous drivers who kill or seriously injure other people.

The Justice Minister said she had “no doubt” in supporting harsher penalties after seeing for herself the “devastating impact” dangerous drivers can have on the families and friends of its victims.

She said: "An average of seven people a day are killed by dangerous drivers who also injure and maim thousands of people every year.

“It really is a serious issue for the Government and over the years we have done what we can to try and reduce these type of accidents. But obviously a two-year maximum sentence is not a sufficient deterrent."

In a BBC Radio 4 interview on Christmas Eve, Miss Ward, who will seek a fourth term as Watford MP at the General Election this year, outlined plans to increase the maximum sentence to five years through new legislation.

She said she had been convinced of the need for a tougher approach after meeting the family of Cerys Edwards, a one-year-old toddler who suffered brain damage and permanent disability after a three car crash in the Midlands earlier this year.

The young driver responsible had only recently passed his test and had been driving at more than 70mph. He was jailed for 21 months.

Ms Ward said: "The family impressed upon me that the two year maximum for someone who causes very serious injury just isn't sufficient. There is a big gap with the maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving which we increased over the last few years from ten to 14 years.

“Given that there could be potentially a lot more cases of serious injury because of better medical treatment and safer cars - this is something that we as a Government needed to address. We want to try and reduce the number of these accidents by making it clear that dangerous driving is just not acceptable on our roads."