Tougher punishments 'are being explored' following fatal hit-and-run in Cornwall
Ryan's Law has been debated in Parliament following the death of the young dad in north Cornwall
Last updated 16th Nov 2021
The Transport Minister has agreed there might be something wrong with the way the law stands after a fatal hit and run in Cornwall.
31-year-old Ryan Saltern died after a collision at St Teath in 2019.
The driver involved was handed a suspended sentence after admitting failing to stop and failing to report what happened.
Currently hit-and-run drivers face a maximum sentence of six months where there is no other evidence of careless or dangerous driving.
Ryan's family are calling for a minimum 10-year sentence with a maximum life sentence, a so-called Ryan's Law.
They started a petition in his name to widen the definition of causing death by dangerous driving.
Over 167,000 people signed it, sparking a debate on 'Ryan's Law' in Parliament which was held yesterday (Monday 15th November).
Andrew Stephenson told the committee options are being explored.
As part of his response to the debate, Transport Minister Andrew Stephenson said: "The proposals in the e-petitions would essentially be equating the seriousness of failure to stop with the actual culpability for causing death or injury. That, as I've said but I want to repeat, creates serious anomalies with other offences that could result in potential injustices.
"However I want to be clear today that the government is not dismissing the concerns that have been raised. We are aware of the traumatic effects of such incidents which we have heard so eloquently expressed by members across the house from all parties today.
"We agree that there might be something wrong with the law as it stands and it may not be working as well as it should in this area.
"I'm sure honourable and right honourable members will appreciate, from what I've already said, that this is a very complex area and that any change in the law should fit within the current driving offence framework.
"Officials from my department have been exploring options that could be pursued in this area. This includes, but is not limited to, the available penalties, how the offence operates, how this offence is dealt with in the sentencing guidance and the potential for a new offence as part of a longer-term and wider approach to road safety.
"I'm sure officials will consider the points raised by members across the house in the debate today as part of their considerations of that offence".
In terms of next steps, Mr Stephenson went on to say that the department is considering conducting a call for evidence on parts of the Road Traffic Act.
He added that while details are still being fully worked on, he would expect this to include failure to stop and report as an offence.
Cornwall and Devon's Police and Crime Commissioner, Alison Hernandez, is the national APCC lead for road safety.
She commissioned a road safety survey last year which was completed by more than 66,000 people – 81% of whom believed road offences required more enforcement.
She said: “The debate in parliament yesterday was a really important one and it was great to see so much positive support for both petitions.
“We know the public want to see tougher enforcement taken against road offences, but more than this – we need to save lives that are being needlessly lost.
“I hope the Government gives this subject some really careful consideration and can help create a strong legacy for Ryan and his family.
“Every life lost to a road traffic collision is both devastating and avoidable, that’s why in Devon and Cornwall we have launched the Vision Zero South West Road Safety partnership which aims to halve all serious collisions by 2030 and eradicate them completely by 2040. It’s an ambitious target but one we need to have at the forefront of our minds.
“We can only do this by working together and, during Brake Road Safety Week, I’d like to pay tribute to all the heroes who make safety on our roads their mission.
“Whether it’s our hardworking emergency services, council road safety teams or the communities who work tirelessly through schemes like Community Speed Watch - they all play a vital role in keeping people safe on our roads.”