Local MP and road safety campaigner Craig Tracey has received a pledge from Justice Ministers yesterday that tougher sentences for dangerous drivers will still be introduced should the Conservatives win the election.
Craig has been campaigning alongside the parents of Sean Morley, a student Aberystwyth University who was tragically killed in a hit and run in Bedworth. Sean’s parents and Craig believe justice was not carried out in the sentence to the driver. This has seen a lengthy campaign to bring about reform to sentences for dangerous drivers.
The campaign had seen progress made, however North Warwickshire and Bedworth’s Member of Parliament sought reassurances that tougher sentences would still be introduced after the general election.
Craig Tracey spoke in the House of Commons yesterday stating:
“Following the important work done by the parents of my constituent Sean Morley, who was tragically killed in a hit-and-run incident in Bedworth, and the representations that I have made to the Secretary of State, will she confirm whether she intends to see through the progress that has been made towards much tougher sentences for dangerous drivers in the next Parliament, should the Conservatives be returned to government?”
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Justice gave Mr Tracey an unequivocal response:
“If the Conservatives are returned to government we will, of course, look to see through these vital reforms.”
Sean’s mother Kerry was pleased with the Minister’s comments, she said:
“We are glad that despite the election, the Government is still determined to see through this really important reform. Stricter punishments to fit the crime of dangerous drivers and closing loopholes in the current law will help to achieve the justice which we were not afforded with Sean.”
Sean’s parents Kerry and Gareth will continue to work with Craig Tracey MP for the Sean Morley Awards taking place later in the year. The Sean Morley Memorial Prize is an initiative of the road charity AIRSO. AIRSO was formed in 1965 to provide support for individuals working in all aspects of road safety. The Sean Morley Memorial Prize is open to undergraduates of U.K. universities, rewarding exceptional dissertations and projects which have a road safety theme. The award is not restricted to the obvious, but all-important areas, of road design and traffic features but extends to anything that could make our roads safer places such as proposals for age restricted licenses, developing safer in-car navigation systems, pedestrian behaviour or even reflective clothing designs. The Sean Morley Memorial Prize aims to promote research and progress in road safety whilst recognising and rewarding the best work which otherwise may end up on a shelf never to be seen again. Successful students will have the chance to present their work before potential employers and industry experts.
Last year the awards evening was held at the Houses of Parliament . Lara Alvarez, an Art and Design graduate, won the product design award with her reflective knitwear designs. The dissertation and overall winner was Aaron Howard, a Psychology student from Nottingham Trent University, whose submission discussed the benefits of training car drivers to spot motorcycles at T-junctions.
For further information for students who wish to enter the competition please contact Dr Lucy Rackliff, member of AIRSO, by email on l.rackliff@aston.ac.uk. Closing date for applications is 16th June 2017.