Why no automatic lifetime ban for causing death by dangerous driving?

A mother whose child was killed instantly by a speeding driver is petitioning for automatic lifetime bans for those convicted of causing death by dangerous driving.

Angela Burke is one of a number of bereaved parents seeking a change in the law: "My child was killed by a speeding driver, Who was convicted of causing death by dangerous driving. My child suffered horrific instant death injuries, the driver was driving at speeds of 73-93mph when he hit her on a 30mph road, he was sentenced to 9 years minus 25% reduction for going guilty also given a 7 year driving ban to start immediately, when hes released he will have 4 years ban left. Driving is a luxury and it should be taken away if convicted of this crime. I've lost my child forever."

You can sign the petition here

Fewer and fewer bans for dangerous driving

Of the 63,342 driving bans imposed in England and Wales in 2018, only 5 were lifetime bans. Courts are reluctant to impose long-term bans because many disqualified motorists continue to drive anyway. This seems a perverse reason to avoid penalising dangerous drivers who kill.

According to Roadpeace, since 2008 there has been a 54% decline in the number of driving bans. This shocking fact reflects fewer prosecutions of offences with mandatory bans as well as a decline in ban rates.

RoadPeace wants much greater use of driving bans. This includes lifetime, longer and even short bans. A serious injury caused by a law breaking driver should result in a ban. This does not happen now.

You can hear more from Roadpeace in our 40-minute documentary about road harm - and our seeming inability, to address it here in the UK

https://vimeo.com/361286029

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