Dangerous drivers will now face a life sentence, under new UK wide proposals.
The proposals, recently announced by the UK Government will mean courts can now punish the most serious driving offences which result in death, with a life sentence. The current maximum sentence is 14 years in prison. It will cover drivers who kill others while speeding, racing or using mobile phones behind the wheel.
Life sentences will also be introduced for drink and drug drivers who are convicted of careless driving which results in someone’s death. Additionally, a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving will be created.
Over the period 2006 and 2016 there were 297 convictions for death by dangerous driving in Scotland - with 41 of these in 2015-16 alone.
Local MP John Lamont has welcomed the plans, saying it will help tackle the issue in Scotland and make our roads safer.
John Lamont MP said: “The UK Government received over 9,000 submissions to its consultation on changing the law and there was a clear backing for tougher sentences.
“The issue of dangerous driving remains a problem in the Scottish Borders as it does across Scotland. Over the past 5 years alone, 166 drivers were convicted of causing death by their dangerous driving.
“It is therefore the correct approach to introduce the toughest sentences for those who wreck lives by driving dangerously, drunk or high on drugs.”