ROAD DEATHS

Early day motion 668, tabled 5 February 2003 by Denis Murphy (Labour). Signed by 131 members.

That this House expresses its deepest sympathy to every family in the United Kingdom that has suffered the loss of loved ones killed by criminal motorists; notes with great concern that the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is only 10 years and that the maximum sentence for aggravated vehicle taking is only five years; believes these sentences do not reflect the heinous nature of the crimes; and calls upon the Home Secretary to urgently amend the Criminal Justice Bill, which is currently going through parliament, to enable charges of manslaughter to be brought against the perpetrators of such crimes; further believes that persons being carried in the offending vehicle could be held as accessories to the crime; and requests that when guilty persons are eventually released they are electronically monitored until they no longer pose a threat to the general public.

Signatures by party: Labour 93, Conservative 11, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 7, DUP 4, UUP 3, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.