Danger drivers prompt big response

The Ministry of Justice received 1,000 replies in three days after it opened on December 5, reaching 9,000 when it shut on Wednesday.

It comes as The News’ Drive for Justice revealed the low sentences handed out to drivers who kill on the roads.

Proposals the government is suggesting include changing the maximum sentence for death by dangerous driving to life. The current maximum, which no driver has ever been handed, is 14 years.

Justice minister Sam Gyimah said: ‘Killer drivers ruin lives. While we can never compensate for the loss of a loved one, we are clear that the punishment must fit the crime.

‘So I would like to thank the thousands who have contributed to this consultation.

‘We will now carefully consider each of these and will set out our plans as soon as possible.’

Justice secretary Liz Truss and charities have backed the News campaign, run together with our sister titles across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Families spoke out late last year about the devastating impact of losing a loved one had on their lives. The series was submitted to the consultation.