ROAD safety campaigners have blasted the Government’s lack of action in implementing tougher sentences for killer and dangerous drivers, despite promising to do so one year ago.

Last year, the Government announced it would be bringing in tougher sentences for drivers who cause death by dangerous driving, or cause death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

However, road safety charity Brake has criticised the Government’s “unacceptable” delay in bringing in the new punishment, and creating the new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving.

Brake said the Government is “refusing to deliver justice for victims and bereaved families of road crashes”.

On October 15, 2017, the Ministry of Justice announced plans for killer drivers to face life in prison, following campaigning from Brake, the Telegraph & Argus’ ‘Stop the Danger Drivers’ campaign, and repeated questioning from Bradford South MP Judith Cummins in Parliament.

Life sentences are due to be introduced for killer drivers, and those who cause death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs.

Joshua Harris, director of campaigns for Brake, said: “It is completely unacceptable that these new tougher sentences have not yet been implemented.

“The Government needs to focus its attention on the issues which matter most to road safety - delivering justice for road crash victims and keeping dangerous drivers off our roads.

“The intentions behind the ongoing cycling offences review are sound but the prioritisation of this issue ahead of dangerous drivers is illogical and simply putting the cart before the horse.

“Drivers who kill or seriously injure all too often receive lenient sentences. By delaying the introduction of new tougher sentences, the Government is causing further suffering to families who have lost loved ones in road crashes.

“The Government must implement these tougher sentences as first priority, delivering on their promise to road crash victims, and then initiate a review of the flawed legal framework for road justice.”

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins was named Brake’s Parliamentarian of the Year for her continuous calls to tackle dangerous driving, and when she asked what progress had been made in implementing the new sentences, Justice Minister Rory Stewart said the Government would “bring forward proposals for changes in the law as soon as parliamentary time allows”.

Mr Stewart also said the proposals will take into account the Government’s ongoing review into cycle safety.

Ms Cummins said: “It is astonishing that the government has failed keep its promise on tougher sentences for drivers who kill or seriously injure others on our roads.

“Implementing this change is long overdue but the government seems to be incapable of addressing even the most basic concerns about sentencing and through its inaction has demonstrated scant regard to the protection of road users and pedestrians."

Shipley Conservative MP Philip Davies said he is "on the side" of Brake on the issue, but stressed passing legislation through Parliament "is a lengthy process".

He said: "I am a hardliner and we do need tougher sentences, but to be fair it takes some considerable time for legislation to go through parliament.

"It's a length process and you would rather it is done right rather than rushed through, but I appreciate and sympathise with Brake's sentiments given we have such a high rate of instances of dangerous driving in Bradford.

"I'm as impatient as they are and I would like to see the legislation done as quickly as possible but it needs to be done right, and it's about finding that balance.

"I am on Brake's side and I sympathise with them, especially as it's a more important issue in Bradford than other areas."

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: “Killer drivers ruin lives and the government is committed to making sure that the courts have sufficient powers to deal with driving offences appropriately and proportionately.

“We will bring forward proposals for changes in the law as soon as parliamentary time allows.”