New legislation that could put drivers behind bars for life for causing death by speeding, street racing or while on a mobile phone has been welcomed by leading road safety charity IAM RoadSmart – but it warned that the threat of jail alone is unlikely to make people drive in a less dangerous way.  

The UK government launched a consultation on the issue in December 2016, with thousands supporting tougher penalties for the most serious road offences.  

IAM RoadSmart’s own survey in February this year found nearly 80% agreed there should be a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving – which is now part of the government’s plans.  

Many respondents in the IAM RoadSmart survey also felt the current maximum penalty of 14 years in jail for causing death by dangerous driving wasn’t nearly high enough; with almost 50% saying the penalty was not set at the right level.  

The government will now proceed with the measures, which will see life sentences introduced for those convicted of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs. The issue was brought into sharp focus with the jailing of Tomasz Kroker for 10 years in October 2016. Kroker killed a mother and three children when he was distracted by changing music on his smartphone and ploughed into a line of stationary traffic in his lorry.  

Neil Greig, IAM RoadSmart Director of Policy and Research said, “The public has been calling for stricter penalties for those who cause death by driving recklessly, and the moves today by the government are wholeheartedly welcomed. However, we feel that visible policing, and a high likelihood of being caught, is the surest way of making people drive better. If people don’t think they will be caught, they simply won’t drive in a safer way.” 

Photo: Drivers who kill as a result of dangerous driving will face life sentences.