Call for stiffer jail terms

The new offence of ‘causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving’ should come with tougher penalties – according to rider’s rights organisation the British Motorcyclists Federation.

The BMF says there should be a minimum sentence of 10 years – not the suggested 5 years.

A spokesman said: “For too long a death following careless driving has merely been seen as the unfortunate consequence of a driver’s inattention. Motorcyclists in particular suffer from driver carelessness where a ‘Sorry mate I didn’t see you’ excuse has often become an acceptable reason for a car-bike collision, even if the motorcyclist has been seriously injured or killed.”

He added: “While we support the introduction of the new offence, the problem, will be ensuring that the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) is able to run with a prosecution and persuade a jury of perhaps mainly drivers, to convict a fellow motorist who they might see as much a victim as a perpetrator.”

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