Road Traffic Offences and Penalties 2021-11-09
2021-11-09
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The question pertains to the review of road traffic offences and penalties in light of recent incidents where severe penalties have not been meted out for dangerous driving.
What plans does he have to further review road traffic offences and penalties. The context involves concerns over lenient sentences given to individuals involved in dangerous driving, such as Hassan Nasser al-Thani who was fined instead of receiving a harsher penalty despite causing the death of Charles Roberts by driving nearly twice the speed limit.
As part of the Department for Transport's longer-term and wider work on road safety, road traffic offences are kept under review to ensure that irresponsible driving and the risk it poses to others are appropriately punished. In the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill, we are increasing the maximum penalties for causing death by dangerous driving and by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs, and we are introducing a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific case mentioned was not addressed directly, only general measures were discussed.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
In 2014, the Conservative Secretary of State for Justice promised a full review of driving offences and penalties. The question references a case where Hassan Nasser al-Thani was given a short driving ban and fined despite causing death by dangerous driving.
Businessman Hassan Nasser al-Thani killed Charles Roberts with his Rolls-Royce at nearly twice the speed limit, receiving a short driving ban and fine. This is one of many cases showing lenient sentences for road criminals while victims' families grieve. Where is the full review promised by Chris Grayling in 2014?
I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman who has been vocal on these issues for a long time. I cannot comment on specific cases as sentencing decisions are judicial matters. However, there was a review in 2014 leading to the consultation in 2016 and new measures debated yesterday in the House of Lords which strengthen penalties for dangerous driving offences.
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Assessment & feedback
The specific case mentioned was not addressed directly; only general measures were discussed.
Response accuracy