Stop the Speeders: Declan’s story stresses need for fight
The sentencing of Danny Dale brings the issue of dangerous driving back into alarming focus.
While young Declan Osborne managed to survive the crash, Dale's driving has left a teenager with life-changing injuries.
While Dale's dangerous driving did not rob Declan of his life, it has robbed a young man of a promising future and left him with ongoing medical issues.
And it highlights why the Express & Star launched our Stop The Speeders campaign, urging the Government to bring in tougher sentences for dangerous drivers.
Nearly 3,000 people have backed our call for harsher sentences to be imposed.
And MPs and a Government minister alike have praised the E&S's efforts to ensure changes to the law are brought in as soon as possible.
The campaign was sparked after two killer drivers were jailed for less than eight years each for killing a people by dangerous driving.
Drunk Craig Edwards was driving at a speed almost twice the 30mph limit when he hit grandfather John Hickinbottom in Walsall last June.
The 29-year-old, of Cumberland Road, Walsall, received a seven-year jail sentence after admitting causing death by dangerous driving, failing to stop at the scene and drink driving.
Kade Scrivens, 24, of Booth Street, Handsworth, was given a seven-and-a-half year sentence for killing 59-year-old Nicholas Harrison.
He lost control while speeding and hit Mr Harrison as he was cycling on Midland Road in Darlaston on November 22.
Scrivens, who admitted causing death by dangerous driving, then fled the scene to sober up, according to Judge Simon Ward.
Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes has thrown his backing behind our campaign and led a Parliamentary debate on it.
Mr Hughes said: “The time has come for change and the Government must now make time available to implement this change.”
To sign the petition, visit www.change.org/p/theresa-may-mp-killer-drivers-should-have-stiffer-sentences
