Justice Secretary Michael Gove has discussed the possibility of a major law change that would see motorists that kill when they are over the drink drive or drug drive limit charged with manslaughter. This means that they could face a maximum term of life imprisonment, compared to the current maximum of 14 years under existing laws.
Critics have said that the current legislation not only means that judges have the power to offer leniency, but it also means that there is a large disparity between the sentences that people receive if they kill another person when intoxicated or high on drugs. A number of politicians, including those from other parties, are backing the potential move, with sources saying that it is about time that legislation caught up with the current feelings against drink driving.
Laws in Scotland were changed last year, greatly reducing the legal limit, and despite the fact that drink driving arrests have actually dropped Norther of the border, the UK government continues to resist the urge to take similar action. England and Wales now have the joint highest drink driving limit in Europe, and many groups have said that if the government are serious about improving road safety then reducing the limit is one step that they must consider.
One law that was introduced last year was that of the offence of drug driving. A list of drugs and substances, that include recreational drugs like cannabis and cocaine as well as some prescription drugs, can now be tested, and if a person is found to be over the limit, then they face an automatic disqualification, in the same way that any driver that is found to be over the drink driving limit faces.
However, it isn’t just drink and drug drivers that could face harsher penalties. Dementia sufferers are being warned that they shouldn’t drive unless they are safe to do so, because new penalties could be introduced. The move comes amid fears that dementia sufferers that are warned not to drive again, could be putting people in great danger by getting behind the wheel.
