94% of motorists are in favour of the planned new offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, a poll from the Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) has found.
The new law, which forms part of the Legal Aid, Sentencing and Punishment of Offenders (LASPO) Act 2012 was granted Royal Assent on 1st May.
Currently there is a punishment for dangerous driving and for causing death by dangerous driving, but there is no legislation regarding causing serious injury through dangerous driving.
Of the 1400 motorists polled, 53% though that the sentence for dangerous driving should be based on the offence, and 44% thought that the sentence should be based on the outcome.
Those polled were also asked what the biggest deterrent to dangerous driving was, with over 70% claiming that getting caught was the biggest reason not to drive dangerously. Only 48% claimed that causing death or serious injury was a deterrent.
Simon Best, IAM chief executive, said, "People want to see tougher penalties to deal with situations where the victim of a road accident is seriously injured. But the government needs to ensure that punishments for dangerous driving accurately reflect the severity of the offences committed."
