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New driving offence welcomed

Posted by Linda Davidson


Road safety organisations across the UK have welcomed the creation of a new criminal driving offence, owners of Stoves caravan hobs and cookers were told.


Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke recently announced that drivers who inflict serious injury through reckless and irresponsible behaviour will be charged with causing serious injury by dangerous driving and may face up to five years in prison.


Currently, drivers responsible for causing injury in this way can only be charged with dangerous driving, which carries a two-year sentence, or careless driving, which carries a penalty fine and disqualification.


"This is vitally important to victims and their families. It also means dangerous drivers who inflict serious injury can expect to see higher sentences that are more in line with the devastation they have caused," said Ellen Booth, Brake senior campaigns officer.


However, Institute of Advanced Motorists spokesperson Vince Yearley said that the jail term should match the offence, not the consequences, however awful they may be.