§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what measures have been introduced by the Government against(a) dangerous drivers and (b) those who consistently offend. [56269]
§ Mr. Bob AinsworthWe are currently considering the report of a major research study into dangerous driving offences and will decide in due course whether to bring forward proposals for change in the law or its administration.
The Government also produced a consultation paper on road traffic penalties in December 2000 with the purpose of assessing whether the current maximum penalties for road traffic offences remain appropriate. The consultation paper made a number of proposals in respect of dangerous driving including an increase in the maximum penalty from two to five years' imprisonment. We are currently in the final stages of preparing the Government's response to the consultation exercise setting out a final set of recommendations. We expect this to be published in the very near future.