PENALTIES FOR DANGEROUS DRIVING

Early day motion 201, tabled 19 January 1999 by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 48 members.

That this House notes with concern that the average penalty for causing death by dangerous driving is 33.7 months, whereas the average penalties for manslaughter and murder are 62.0 months and life imprisonment respectively; further notes the criteria for being charged with dangerous driving is considered by many to be too high, and as a consequence many motorists guilty of serious motoring offences are only charged with driving without due care and attention; and calls on the Government urgently to review the level of penalties for causing death by dangerous driving, and to introduce a new offence covering the ground between driving without due care and attention and causing death by dangerous driving.

Signatures by party: Labour 29, Liberal Democrat 11, Conservative 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, UUP 2.