§ Sir John WheelerTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to increase the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving and by careless driving while under the influence of drink and drugs.
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§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeThose whose dangerous or drunk driving has resulted in the tragic waste of another human life deserve to be punished accordingly. We are aware of public concern about the gravity of driving in a manner which causes fatal accidents and believe that the current maximum penalty of five years for these offences does not allow the courts adequately to reflect the seriousness of the worst cases. We intend, when parliamentary time permits, to increase the maximum penalty to 10 years.