OUR CAMPAIGNS » Justice Campaign » Road crime is real crime » Traffic Justice Event (Nov 2012)
RoadPeace Traffic Justice Event
Driving offences–you say careless, I say dangerous
13 November 2012, 6.30 - 8.30pm
RoadPeace held a discussion, on 13 November 2012, on how bad driving is defined and prosecuted within the criminal justice system.
The discussion included key issues such as inappropriate and excessive speed, a duty of care towards vulnerable road users and the role of intent. How well the law protects walking and cycling, given the government's promotion of active travel, were also debated
The panel included:
- Jenny Jones AM, Chair (Green member of the Greater London Assembly)
- Amy Aeron-Thomas (Executive Director of RoadPeace)
- Roger Geffen (Campaigns and Policy Director of CTC)
- Lara Orija (Road and Traffic Transport Lead for CPS)
- Dr Sally Cunningham (Lecturer in Law at the University of Leicester)
- Chris Hunt Cooke (Magistrates Association)
Why?
The CPS were
consulting on their draft guidance for their bad driving charging offences (closed 8th November 2012).
It has been five years since this was last reviewed. Since then, Causing Death by Careless Driving, introduced in 2008, has become the most common charge after a fatal crash with 265 convictions compared to 126 for Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, leading to concerns that dangerous driving is being downgraded to careless driving.
With the police soon to be able to be given greater powers to prosecute for Careless Driving without consulting the CPS, and the new charge of Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving, it is important that these charging standards are clear and consistent.
Further information
Minutes and notes from the event can be found
here.
