Motorists who kill someone while over the drink-drive limit could face lifetime driving bans under new proposals, after a grieving mother launched a campaign following the death of her teenage son.
Tracy Venison, from Thakeham in West Sussex, has called on the Government to make permanent driving bans mandatory for anyone who causes a death while under the influence of alcohol.
Her 19-year-old son, Aidan, was killed on June 30, 2024, when an intoxicated driver crashed into his motorcycle near Wisborough Green.
According to Sussex Police, Toby Spiring, then 28 and from Littlehampton, had more than twice the legal alcohol limit in his system when he tried to overtake another vehicle after leaving a pub.
Mr Spiring later admitted causing death by careless driving while over the legal alcohol limit at Lewes Crown Court and was jailed for eight years and banned from driving for five years.
Once that ban ends, he will be able to apply to drive again by passing an extended driving test.
Ms Venison said she was shocked the driving ban was not permanent. “I was astonished,” she told the BBC.
“This should be a total driving ban. They should not be allowed to go out and repeat the same thing again and take another person’s life. When do we actually stand up and say, ‘Enough is enough’?”
The Road Safety Strategy introduced key changes to driving habits and licence requirements
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PA/GETTYThe petition has called for anyone convicted of causing a death while driving under the influence to lose their licence for life.
At present, anyone convicted of causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs must receive at least a five-year driving ban and pass an extended driving test before getting their licence back.
High-risk offenders also have to satisfy extra medical checks before they can drive again. Judges already have the power to impose lifetime driving bans, but they are not required to do so.
The campaign has received backing from Arundel and South Downs MP Andrew Griffith, who said choosing to drive after drinking was not the same as making a simple mistake behind the wheel.
The new Road Safety Strategy hoped to discourage drink and drug driving offences | PA
He added: “It is a premeditated state of mind to get behind the wheel knowing that you are high on drugs or intoxicated through alcohol. This isn‘t someone, a driver, who has had a tragic momentary lapse of concentration.“
The Department for Transport recently completed a consultation looking at whether current penalties for serious driving offences should be strengthened as part of the new Road Safety Strategy.
It considered whether the minimum five-year driving ban for causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs was still a strong enough deterrent.
The consultation also examined whether drivers accused of causing death or serious injury should have their licences suspended before they go on trial.
Drink-driving cases have soared across the UK, prompting more support for tougher rules and lower limits | GETTY
It closed in May, and ministers are expected to publish a summary of responses within three months, setting out whether changes to the law will be taken forward.
The Government said it has heard concerns from victims’ families and road safety campaigners that current punishments do not go far enough.
A Department for Transport spokesperson said: “Driving under the influence is reckless, dangerous and ruins lives. Judges already have powers to ban dangerous drivers for life.”