Leeds MP calls for change in law on driving

Greg Mulholland, the Liberal Democrat MP for Leeds North West wants to see new legislation brought in suspend people from driving as soon as they are charged with an offence of dangerous or careless driving.

His calls follow the case of Otley teenager Jamie Still who was knocked down and killed by a drunk-driver on New Year’s Eve 2010. The man who killed him, Jamie McRae, was almost twice the drink-drive limit and was speeding in a 30mph area when the accident happened. He was jailed for four years and banned from driving for five for causing death by dangerous driving. However, it emerged at court that after killing Jamie he was still allowed to carry on driving for the eight months until he was sentenced.

Now, Mulholland has secured a debate in Parliament to look into a change in the law so that those charged with such an offence would have their driving licenses suspended from that time. He said he was motivated to call for the debate because the current situation, allowing those on a charge to carry on driving, causes further distress to families of those killed or injured.