Road safety charity Brake has increased calls for tougher charges and penalties for drivers that kill and injure. The increased calls have originated as a result of recently-published Government criminal justice figures.æ The stats have shown that drivers responsible for causing serious injury or death are being let off with relatively low penalties, a fact that the charity feels reinforces the importance of a forthcoming review on charges and penalties. 438 drivers were convicted of causing death or bodily harm during 2013, with just over half (55 per cent) being given immediate prison sentences, an increase on the previous year's figure of 44%. Only one in seven were given more than five years in prison, a small increase from the one in ten in 2012. Julie Townsend, the deputy chief executive for Brake, said: "These figures come as a reminder that sentences for drivers who kill and seriously injure do not reflect the atrocious suffering of victim families, many of whom feel deeply let down by the justice system. "While the slight increase in higher-level sentences is encouraging, it does not go nearly far enough. "We still see drivers who have killed through their risky actions being inappropriately charged with causing death by 'careless driving' and receiving low sentences as a result - one of the key issues that must be addressed in the forthcoming Government review. "We also need to see fines for more common driving offences that pose a danger, like speeding and mobile phone use, rise dramatically to provide an effective deterrent." Other notable figures include: 125 people were convicted of causing death by dangerous driving (which carries a maximum penalty of 14 years). 96 per cent of those were given immediate prison sentences.æ However, only one-third were given more than five years. 33 people were convicted of causing death by careless driving under the influence of either drink or drugs (a crime that carries a maximum penalty of 14 years).ææ 94 per cent of these drivers were given immediate prison sentences, but less than three in five were given more than five years. 215 people were convicted of death by careless driving (which carries a maximum penalty of five years), with only one in three given immediate prison sentences. 31 were convicted of the new charge of causing injury as a result of dangerous driving (carrying a maximum penalty of five years) with just over half (52 per cent) being given immediate prison sentences. The average fine for driving offences has remained unchanged over the last five years. A survey by Brake and Direct Line recently found strong public support for tougher penalties for drivers that kill and injure.æ The majority who were asked said that speeding, drink-driving and using a mobile phone should be considered 'dangerous', and that those that kill as a result of doing so should get more than five years in prison.
