Life for killer drivers

Road safety campaigners have welcomed plans by the British government to introduce life sentences for drivers who cause death by dangerous driving.

In a wide-ranging piece of legislation being considered by politicians, the new act proposes to introduce life sentences for motorists who kill while using a mobile phone behind the wheel or cause a death while speeding or street racing.

Under the new plans, those who kill through careless driving, while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, could also be sentenced to life imprisonment.

Currently in the UK those who cause death by driving are, on average, sentenced to four years in jail with a maximum 14-year limit for the most serious cases.

British justice minister, Sam Gyimah, the politician behind introducing the life term for killer drivers, said: “Killer drivers ruin lives,” he said.

“Their actions cause immeasurable pain to families, who must endure tragic, unnecessary losses. While [it is] impossible to compensate for the death of a loved one, we are determined to make sure the punishment fits the crime.

“My message is clear: if you drive dangerously and kill on our roads, you could face a life sentence.”

Last year in the UK, 122 people were convicted of death by dangerous driving, with another 21 convicted for causing death by careless driving while under the influence.

As well as increasing the sentence for killer drivers, the British justice minister is also considering plans to increase the maximum sentence for careless driving to three years.

Road safety campaigners have welcomed the toughening of penalties, hoping the threat of life imprisonment will act as a deterrent to all drivers and impact the number of those killed by dangerous drivers.

As for increasing the jail term for careless driving, some safety activists are calling for politicians to do even more to address the "epidemic" of motorists’ texting, checking messages or making calls while driving.

Currently Down Under, most states also cap the maximum penalty for death by dangerous driving, but if the UK laws are introduced and work, tougher penalties for dangerous and careless driving could be introduced here.