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10-Minute Rule Bill 'to create offences of Motor
vehicle manslaughter and Aggravated motor vehicle manslaughter' -
brought by Jim Knight MP on 13 July 2004 at the House of
Commons.
Jim Knight MP, MP for South Dorset and a member of the RoadPeace
Parliamentary Group for Justice for Road Traffic Victims, was aware
from our work and mailings, as well as representations by his
constituents, about the wide dissatisfaction with the law following
a road death. He used the opportunity of a 10-minute rule Bill to
try and bring an amendment to the road traffic law. Brigitte
Chaudhry had a meeting with Jim Knight to discuss details of the
Bill and of changes that are needed. In his presentation, he said
that in bringing this bill he was building on the work of RoadPeace
and said:
"Justice is essential. Changing the law cannot by itself change
attitudes, but bad law reinforces unacceptable conduct.
Those injustices have embittered fair-minded, upstanding and
law-abiding citizens who because their experience on the receiving
end of car crime, have become convinced that the current law is
ineffective at deterring reckless driving and is too weak to deter
persistent car criminals. The Bill seeks to restore the credibility
of the criminal justice system in this area. It seeks justice for
the families of victims."
The Bill, which was brought in by the following MPs: Jim Knight,
Alice Mahon, Ian Lucas, Andrew Miller, Bob Russell, Tim Loughton,
Louise Ellman, Denis Murphy, David Kidney, Alan Campbell, Clive
Efford and David Amess, was ordered to be read the second time on
15 October 2004.
Endorsement from other MPs for this law change would
be very helpful and we would like our members to inform their MPs
and ask for their support.
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