Minister will not 'immediately' increase death by dangerous driving sentences

Home Affairs and Justice Minister Mary Le Hegarat has no immediate plans to increase the maximum sentencing for causing death by dangerous driving.

More than 1300 people signed a petition created by Sophie Walton to change how long people are sentenced for the crime due to the increase in deaths linked with it in recent years.

Sophie says the current sentencing is not acting as much of a deterrent after one or two drinks:

"These things keep happening and I think the whole thing needs to be reviewed, even if it's on a case-by-case basis, to ensure that the victims and the victim's family are receiving the right justice."

I think for the first time in my life I’m speechless. I wholeheartedly had faith that this petition would spur the minister to review these laws sooner. So disappointed with this response https://t.co/y6AdYfW0qm

— Sophie Walton (@SophieBamWalton) April 5, 2024

In Jersey, the maximum term given for the crime is 10 years, whereas people in the UK can be sentenced to life imprisonment for causing death by dangerous driving.

Deputy Mary Le Hegarat replied to the petition saying keeping people safe on our roads is a key priority for the States of Jersey Police and the Government of Jersey.

"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 the work of this unit, the Government will be publishing a Collision and Casualty Reduction Plan."

Deputy Mary Le Hegarat

The Home Affairs and Justice Minister says it 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.

"Whilst 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."

Sophie told Channel 103 that it is important to make a change for our community.

"Given how many signatures the petition had, [it's obvious] there are people who care about it.

"It's something, especially the most recent one, that has affected the whole community on such a massive scale that I think it's important for us as an island to do this for the victims."

Dean Lowe, 48, (right) and Charlie Lowe, 11, (left) were killed in August 2023 after being hit by a vehicle.

Miss Walton knew Charlie and Dean Lowe, who were killed when they were hit by a vehicle in Grouville in August as they walked home in the summer of 2023.

There was a huge response from the Jersey community to a fund set up in memory of the father and son to carry on their legacy.

In January, a 29-year-old man was charged by police with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving.

READ: Man Charged Over Deaths Of Dean And Charlie Lowe