Law enforcement officials are calling for new powers that would allow police officers to instantly disqualify drivers found under the influence of drugs or alcohol at the side of the road. This move comes as a response to the current system, where drivers charged with such offenses have to wait weeks for a sentencing hearing at a magistrates’ court before being banned. During this waiting period, offenders are still permitted to get back behind the wheel, posing a risk to themselves and others on the road.
Chief Constable Jo Shiner, the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) lead for roads policing, emphasizes the importance of being able to remove risky drivers from the road immediately. This would involve implementing new measures that allow officers to disqualify drivers on the spot, especially those who have significantly exceeded the legal limits for alcohol consumption. Discussions are currently underway to determine the types of tests that can be used for roadside bans and the legal adjustments needed to enforce them.
In addition to roadside disqualifications, the NPCC is also pushing for more severe penalties for drivers who cause fatalities while driving under the influence. This includes the possibility of charging such offenders with murder, reflecting the grave consequences of their actions. Chief Constable Shiner advocates for stronger sentences to deter individuals from making the conscious decision to drive while impaired, putting innocent lives at risk in the process.
Ceinwen Briddon, a mother who tragically lost her daughter Miriam in a collision with a drunk driver, has been a vocal advocate for stricter consequences for offenders responsible for fatalities. She successfully lobbied for changes in the law to ensure that individuals found guilty of causing death by dangerous driving could face life imprisonment. Briddon challenges society to consider the emotional impact on victims’ families and questions how individuals would feel if they were responsible for such a devastating loss.
The proposed new powers to allow police to instantly disqualify drink or drug drivers at the roadside aim to address the current gaps in the legal system that allow offenders to continue driving until their court hearings. By implementing stricter penalties and immediate consequences for reckless behavior behind the wheel, law enforcement hopes to create a safer and more accountable driving environment for all road users. The advocacy of individuals like Chief Constable Shiner and Ceinwen Briddon highlights the urgent need for justice and reformation within the criminal justice system to protect innocent lives from the devastating impact of impaired driving.
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