Dangerous drivers could now face life in jail under tough new laws that are being considered by the government following outrage from families at ‘pathetic’ sentences for killer motorists.
Robert Buckland, QC, the solicitor-general, said that the sentences would apply to people who caused death by dangerous or careless driving, while a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving would also come into law.
He added that the government wants to toughen laws, with ministers saying that drivers who cause death by speeding, racing, or using a mobile phone could face sentences similar to those given out for manslaughter.
Rosney (left) was driving a Mitsubishi pick-up truck and had taken three calls on his mobile, which was on loudspeaker, before the crash that killed the mother of Chris Boardman (right)
The maximum sentence would also be raised from 14 years to potentially life.
The latest news comes as angry families slammed ‘pathetic’ sentences for dangerous drivers that killed their families.
Olympic cycling champion Chris Boardman branded the justice system farcical after his mother Carol, 75, was hit and killed by driver Liam Rosney, 33.
Chris Boardman has called for motorists who kill never to be allowed back on the roads
Rosney was jailed for just 30 weeks and Olympian Chris believes that tougher sentences are needed for drivers who killed.
He called for careless drivers to lose their licences permanently: ‘I’m going to take away your right to drive for good. You lost that privilege. You chose to be careless.’
Rosney ran Carol over at a mini-roundabout after the grandmother had fallen from her bicycle moments before.
Gemma Evans, 23, has been released from jail after three months after causing the death of Diana Price
Diana Price’s daughter Nina, 40, (pictured with her late mother) said: ‘Three months for killing someone isn’t a deterrent. How is that any justice for our family?’
Rosney was driving a Mitsubishi pick-up truck and had taken three calls on his mobile, which was on loudspeaker, in the minutes before the crash in Connah’s Quay, North Wales.
Solicitor-General Buckland told the Times: ‘The government has made clear that it wishes to toughen the sentences for careless and dangerous driving so that judges have appropriate penalties.’
A Government consultation revealed that tougher sentences were supported by victims, their families and road safety experts.
However, Nick Freeman, the lawyer nicknamed ‘Mr Loophole’, said that the present laws were adequate.
Alexander Fitzgerald, 26, was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court to 10 months imprisonment for causing death by careless driving after hitting and killing Dr Jasjot Singhota (right)
Another case that caused great anger was the death of auxiliary nurse Diana Price, 58, who was a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who had never had an accident in her 40 years of driving.
Gemma Evans, 23, ploughed into and killed Diane while driving her Mini in the dark at 50mph.
Evans initially lied about using her phone behind the wheel but police found monkey, heart and thumbs up emojis on messages sent and received by her mobile phone.
She was recently released from jail after just three months.
And Alexander Fitzgerald, 26, was driving his father’s Ford Fiesta when he hit Dr Jasjot Singhota, 30, in Tulse Hill, south London.
Fitzgerald was jailed for 10 months after admitting causing death by careless driving and causing death while uninsured.
Kathryn Forman, 19 (left), managed to avoid jail after she hit and killed Dorothy Cruickshank, 66 (right)
Kathryn Forman, 19, meanwhile, managed to avoid jail after she hit and killed Dorothy Cruickshank, 66.
Relatives of the victim said that they had been let down by the justice system following the ruling.
Mrs Cruickshank suffered a broken pelvis, legs and ribs and died from multi-organ failure 10 days later.
Forman was distracted and killed the retired teacher after she flicked a cigarette from her car window.