SENTENCES for those who cause death by dangerous driving could be reviewed to ensure justice for victims, the Home Affairs Minister has indicated.
Deputy Mary Le Hegarat said she supported a review to ensure that sentences acted as an “effective deterrent”.
The minister was responding to a petition to increase penalties for dangerous drivers who cause fatalities on the road which has reached almost 1,100 signatures.
Deputy Le Hegarat said she could not make an immediate commitment on tougher sentencing, but cited several current projects and plans already under way to improve road safety.
The minister emphasised that making people safe on Island roads was a key priority for the States of Jersey Police and for the government, and that police were committed to high-quality investigation of any road traffic collision to bring offenders to justice.
Deputy Le Hegarat said: “I can confirm that I would support a review of sentencing for these offences to ensure that they are acting as an effective deterrent to those who would commit offences on our roads, and to provide justice for road victims.”
She added: “In January this year, the new Strategic Road Safety Unit was established in order to develop and deliver a broad range of evidence-informed strategic road safety policy, strategy, delivery programmes and projects. Through collaboration with ministers, Government of Jersey and key stakeholders they provide expert advice to ensure the government’s road safety objectives are met, leading to a reduction in road traffic collisions and casualties in Jersey.
“Through the work of this unit, the government will be publishing a Collision and Casualty Reduction Plan. This is anticipated to be delivered later this year. This new strategy will introduce the adoption of the Safe System Approach to Road Safety, of which one element is Post Collision Response.
“While it is not immediately within the scope of that work, a review of sentencing and penalties for road safety offences does fall within that workstream more broadly and is something that I would support. This would require discussion and collaboration with other relevant departments and agencies, including the police and judiciary, in order to progress.”
Running until 19 August, the online petition will be considered for debate in the States if it reaches the required 5,000-signature threshold.
