MAG has welcomed the tough position expressed by Conservative MP Peter Heaton-Jones regarding the sentencing of dangerous drivers.
MAG’s Regional Representative in the South West, Tracy Smith, has received a welcome boost to the campaign for justice against potential killer drivers, whose actions risk the safety of other road users – including motorcyclists.
Mr Peter Heaton-Jones, the Conservative Member of Parliament for North Devon, has confirmed that he backs changes which increase the possible sentences for causing death. Mr Heaton-Jones stated: ‘The maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs will both be increased from fourteen years to life.’ Mr Heaton-Jones added; ‘these tougher sentences come after an overwhelming response to a consultation, which revealed substantial backing for the plans from a wide range of people including victims, bereaved families and road safety experts.’ He confirmed that that a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving will also be created.
Tracy is pleased to see this development: ‘having to discuss all this is only necessary because of the actions of a small number of irresponsible killer drivers who aren’t fit to share the road space with anyone. They deserve the prospect of life imprisonment for killing bikers and other road users through their criminal behaviour. MAG welcomes Mr Heaton-Jones’s support for those who face the tragedy of stolen lives, as a result of these dangerous drivers. Nobody wants to suffer this horrible situation, and I hope that these stiffer sentences act as a deterrent to chancing such wilfully irresponsible behaviour in the first place.‘
The response Tracy has received proves the value of contacting your MP for support for bikers who suffer harm from bad driving by others. Public opinion got the law changed in the first place, and will continue to help get justice for the victims of such reckless driving.
Contact MAG at 01926 844 064 or central-office@mag-uk.org