Government proposes new offence: serious injury by dangerous driving

The Government announced plans today to introduce a new offence for dangerous drivers who seriously injure others. The introduction of "serious injury by dangerous driving" could see offenders sentenced to up to five years in prison and an unlimited fine.

According to the Department for Transport, in 2010 there were 24,510 reported deaths or serious injury collisions, with 3,000 drivers convicted of dangerous driving and 1,850 people killed in car crashes. Currently, the maximum prison sentence for dangerous driving or wanton/furious driving causing bodily harm is 2 years and the maximum prison sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is 14 years.

This gap in sentencing led to the lenient 2 year sentence of Christopher Marr in 2010, who, after driving whilst under the influence of alcohol, crashed into three teenage girls in Bromley Cross, Bolton, whilst driving 90mph on the wrong side of the road and mounting the pavement to collide with the girls who were walking home from a party. One of the girls was left with brain injuries, hearing problems, broken bones and various scars. Judge Steven Everrett stated: "For many years lawyers and judges have been railing against the government to change the sentence. It defies belief that successive governments have not seen fit to increase the maximum sentence."

So it seems that the new offence under the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders Bill is a welcome proposal to close the sentencing gap between dangerous driving and causing death by dangerous driving.

The Bill is scheduled for the committee stage in the House of Commons on 11 October 2011.

Ashfords' Personal Injury Team has extensive experience in all areas of personal injury claims, ranging from accidents on public property or at work to road traffic accidents and clinical negligence.  If you are a claimant and would like to discuss a potential personal injury claim and the funding options available to you, including the option of a "no win no fee" arrangement, please contact Stephen Walker, Partner, on 01884 203057.

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