Defence of automatism for death by driving offences

Early day motion 203, tabled 22 June 2022 by Barry Sheerman (Labour/Co-operative). Signed by 8 members.

That this House recognises the immense suffering caused to families of fatal road crash victims and the trauma that often accompanies the death of a loved one; regrets that many people feel let down by the justice system, especially in the way that the general defence of automatism is used for death by driving offences; observes that the use of automatism has been subject to much criticism and reiterates the findings of the Law Commission’s discussion paper published in July 2013 which recommended reform of the doctrine; calls on the Government to launch a full review of the use of automatism as a legal defence for death by driving offences and to ensure the entire justice system has the resources required to investigate and prosecute in cases of fatal road crashes.

Signatures by party: Independent 2, Labour 2, Labour/Co-operative 2, Conservative 1, Liberal Democrat 1.