MPs call for tougher laws on killer drivers

A report by MPs has called for police to treat road deaths and injuries as seriously as manslaughter or grievous bodily harm (The Telegraph, 2 Nov).

A change of police attitude should be part of a 'radical and urgent overhaul' of the system for dealing with motoring offences, the report added. Changes need to include tougher sentences and higher fines for offenders as well as more breath tests.

The report into traffic law and its enforcement, published by the House of Commons Transport Committee, states that an investigation manual by the Association of Chief Police Officers set out 'admirable principles' that should be applied to roads deaths as well as serious injuries.

MPs expressed concern that, where death or injury is involved, it appeared that police and prosecutors took a more lenient view of drivers' behaviour than the public did. The reduction in the number of breath tests by police was described as 'extremely disturbing'. All cases involving death and serious injury should be heard in crown courts not in magistrates' courts, with more cases being brought before juries, the report added.

Further information is available at: www.telegraph.co.uk