Unanimous support for new driving offence

Author:

ROBIN ROBERTS

Britons want tougher laws for the most dangerous drivers, according to a poll produced by the IAM.

Ninety-four per cent of drivers support the planned new driving offence, causing serious injury by dangerous driving. This finding comes from a recent poll of over 1400 people, by road safety charity the IAM. Just six per cent think it’s a bad idea.

Currently when someone drives recklessly and causes very serious injury as a result, they are often charged with dangerous driving. While this is a serious crime with a heavy penalty, it doesn’t take into account the severity of the outcome. This new law would reflect driver recklessness that causes life changing injuries, with even tougher penalties attached.

When asked whether sentences should be based on the offence itself, or the outcome of that offence, for example causing a life-changing injury, the figures were close. While 53 per cent thought the sentence should be based on the offence itself, 44 per cent thought sentences should be based on the outcome.

When asked what the biggest deterrents to bad driving were, 70 per cent said ‘enforcement – the likelihood I will get caught’. Almost half of respondents (48 per cent) said ‘the consequences – causing death or injury to myself or others’, and 43 per cent said ‘the severity of the punishment if I am caught’.