MP sponsors tougher criminal driving law

* Susan Elan Jones MP. 

Clwyd South MP Susan Elan Jones and Wrexham MP Ian Lucas are two of the sponsors of a bill that was presented today in the House of Commons to tighten the law on how the justice system deals with cases of criminal driving. 
The Criminal Driving (Justice for Victims) Bill was proposed by Leeds MP Greg Mullholland.

It follows the launch of a manifesto 'Better Justice for Victims of Criminal Justice and Their Families' (attached) last year by road safety charity Brake, bereaved families and a cross-party group of MPs.


The Bill will seek to increase sentences for those convicted of criminal driving offences that lead to serious injury or death and also get rid of the charge of careless driving. It will also demand improvements to the treatment of the victims of criminal driving offences and their families within the justice system.

Alice Bailey, campaigns and communications officer for national road safety charity, Brake, said: “Too many victims of crashes caused by dangerous drivers are simply not getting justice at the moment. They and their families are often left feeling let down and insulted by the use of inappropriately-termed charges and overly lenient sentences.

"Drivers who have killed while taking illegal risks have too often been labelled ‘careless’ in the eyes of the law, and given insultingly low sentences, when their actions can only be described as dangerous and destructive."

Susan Elan Jones MP, who proposed her own bill in Parliament on sentences for driving offences and campaigns for fairer sentences, said: "As we know from dreadful incidents that have happened on roads in our area and across the country, the law doesn't reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed.

"That's why a growing group of MPs from different political parties are working to put pressure on the Government. We have already seen some improvements in the law, but much more needs to be done. Today's Bill is another important landmark in our campaign."