MOTORING
Survey reveals support for tougher sentences
A survey by UK road safety charity IAM RoadSmart has shown road users want the law to be far stricter on those who cause death and serious injury when driving. The survey of nearly 2,000 road
users found nearly 80% agreed there should be a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving. Fifty-six per cent of those who
agreed said the maximum penalty should be between one and five years in prison, 44% went further and felt the maximum penalty should be more than five years. Many respondents also felt the
current maximum penalty of 14 years in jail for causing death by dangerous driving wasn’t nearly high enough, with almost 50% saying the penalty was not set at the right level.
‘Under plans put forward by ministers in December, dangerous drivers who kill could face life sentences’
However, when asked if the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving should be increased to life imprisonment, those taking the survey were more evenly divided with slightly over 51% ‘agreeing’ or ‘agreeing strongly’ but 49% unsure or against the Government’s new, tougher sentencing proposals. Under plans put forward by
ministers in December, dangerous drivers who kill could face life sentences. It added dangerous
drivers causing death by speeding, street racing or while on a mobile phone are among those now facing the same sentences as those charged with manslaughter. A majority of those surveyed
also did not want to see the fundamental principles of early release for good behaviour or shorter sentences for pleading guilty waived in cases involving death or serious injury on the road. Sarah Sillars, IAM RoadSmart Chief
Executive officer, said: “Our survey shows that on the very emotive issue of those who cause death by driving offences, there is public support for tougher sentencing. “It is clear that in the minds of the
UK public, the punishment often does not fit the crime – and that the law should reflect that in a far more fitting and appropriate way.’’
Growth in the car finance market
New figures released by the Finance & Leasing Association (FLA) show that new business in the point of sale (POS) consumer car finance market grew 12% by value and eight per cent by volume in 2016. New business was up three
per cent by value and down three per cent by volume in December, compared with the same month in 2015. The POS consumer new car
finance market reported new business up one per cent by value and eight per cent lower by volume in December compared with the same month in 2015. In 2016 as a whole, new business grew 12% by value and six per cent by volume. The percentage of private
new car sales financed by FLA members through the POS reached 86.6% in 2016, up from 81.4% in 2015. Geraldine Kilkelly, Head of
Research and Chief Economist at the FLA, said: “The point of sale consumer car finance market reported another record year in 2016. Our latest survey suggests broadly stable new business volumes in 2017.”
business network March 2017
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