Dangerous drivers face tougher sentence

Dangerous drivers who cause serious injury could face five years in jail under plans announced by Justice Secretary Kenneth Clarke.

A new offence of “causing serious injury by dangerous driving” would carry more than double the current maximum sentence applicable of two years.

Clarke said: “We have listened to the victims of dangerous drivers, their families, MPs, judges and road safety groups and their experiences have directly informed these changes.

“Making our roads safer is a priority – five people died on our roads each day last year, so we need to do everything we can to further improve safety.”

Andrew Howard, the AA’s head of road safety, said it would “make sentences more proportionate to the devastation dangerous driving causes and should also deter people from driving badly”.

IAM spokesperson Vince Yearley said: “Dangerous driving can result in anything from near misses to serious injuries. But the maximum jail term for dangerous driving must relate to the driving offence – not the consequences, however awful.”

The changes will be part of the Government’s Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill