Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Road Traffic Offences and Penalties

Tuesday 9 November 2021 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister for Transport stated that road traffic offences are regularly reviewed to ensure appropriate punishment for irresponsible driving.
  • Ben Bradshaw questioned the lenient sentencing in cases like that of Hassan Nasser al-Thani, who was involved in a fatal accident but received only a driving ban and fine.
  • The minister acknowledged previous reviews and measures taken in 2014 and 2016, and mentioned ongoing debates in the House of Lords regarding new measures.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ben Bradshaw Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement Transport
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.

Question

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.

Answer from James Cartlidge

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific case mentioned was not addressed directly, only general measures were discussed.

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Q2 Ben Bradshaw Lab
Crime & Law Enforcement Justice & Courts
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.

Question

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?

Answer from James Cartlidge

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.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific case mentioned was not addressed directly; only general measures were discussed.

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