Subscribe to the News Feed Newsback to News

Wednesday, 18 November 2009

Drink-driving sentences 'lenient'

Families who have lost loved ones to drink-drivers have called for longer jail terms for those who drive under the influence of drugs and alcohol.

Relatives told UTV the government produces graphic television campaigns warning about the dangers of using alcohol and drugs, but the courts don't usually hand down hard-hitting sentences.

More than 100 have died in road traffic collisions so far this year, a 10% increase compared to the same period in 2007 and 2008.

Victims' relatives say watching the road safety TV adverts can bring back the pain of losing their loved ones.

Londonderry couple Denise and Dermot Brennan lost their son David, 20, to a hit-and-run drink driver last April.

The driver had more than 20 previous convictions, and was sent to jail for two years.

"Those adverts that they're showing on TV by the DoE, those adverts hit us, the families that's lost loved ones on the roads", Mr Brennan told UTV.

"Why show harsh ads if they're not going to back them up with harsh sentences?" He asked.

Road safety campaigner Aileen Tester lost her 20-year-old brother Robert when a drunk driver killed him in December 2000.

She is now a member of the Road Safety Council and helped set up a website dedicated to those killed on our roads.

"The sentences don't seem to be increasing", she said.

"No matter how many times the government comes out and says they have a longer maximum sentence, they seem to be unattainable.

"There isn't a balance between what's said in the DoE ads and what the government then do through the legal system and the courts system," she said.

Send to a friend

Email To
Your Name
Comment

Comments

3 Comments

At 11:42 on 28 February 2010, Andrea wrote:

Not only do I think sentences are far too lenient, I also beleive that there should be a ZERO TOLERANCE in respect of alcohol levels when a driver has a minor in the car with them. Children are not in the position to say "I'm not getting in the car with you, you've been drinking" and some are simply too young to understand.

At 00:19 on 19 November 2009, Brian wrote:

I agree. Sentences are far too lenient for drinking and driving. In my opinion, I feel the government are partly to blame for people drinking and driving because the law allows drivers to drink a certain amount of alcohol before they are over the limit, although the final decision is with the driver. There should be a zero tolerance to drinking and driving with some severe penalties for those who do.

At 18:48 on 18 November 2009, grieving families united wrote:

Grieving Families United is a support group helping families who have lost loved ones on our roads. We want government to put a minimum sentence as no one ever gets the maximum, and every judge hands down a different sentence. This would mean that all offenders would get the same sentence for their offence. Justice for the families left to cope with their loss.