After calling for a debate on horse rider safety, road safety and driving offences James delivered a speech in the House of Commons. He called on the government to review sentences and sentencing guidelines for dangerous driving, improve safety for equestrian road users and consider guidance on local speed limits.
He commented on the troubling statistic for Norfolk.
“More than 1,600 people tragically lost their lives on our roads in 2024, and 60% of those fatalities happened on rural roads such as those in North West Norfolk. Indeed, there has been a worrying rise in road casualties in Norfolk: in 2024, a 17% increase took the number of people killed or seriously injured to 555.”
James welcomed the road safety strategy but raised clear points he expects the government to address.
Outlining challenges in changing speed limits he commented:
“many residents, Speedwatch groups and parish councils tell me the process for reviewing or reducing speed limits on dangerous roads is too slow and too expensive, so I look forward to the Government’s new guidance on setting local speed limits”
Representing his equestrian constituents in the House he spoke on horse and rider safety and the lack of bridleways. Later giving his support to the Road Traffic (Horse and Rider Safety) Bill.
“they face heightened risk, particularly given the limited number of bridleways. The roads connecting bridleways have become more dangerous, too, with over 3,000 incidents in 2024… it is why I support the proposals introduced by the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr Dillon), which include setting a required speed and distance for passing horses, and teaching equestrian safety in driving education”
Closing his speech, he called for tougher sentences for all driving offences, particularly incidents of dangerous driving.
“In 2022, Parliament legislated for a maximum sentence of life in prison for death by dangerous driving, but sentences remain far too short… Dangerous driving should also result in longer disqualification. Less than 1% of those convicted of dangerous driving were banned from driving for life”
James has spoken previously on driving offences, often pointing out lenient sentences for offenders and calling for justice for crash victims.
Full text of speech:
It is a pleasure to follow the hon. Member for Shipley (Anna Dixon), who made a powerful speech, particularly in relation to the impact of dangerous driving on her family.
As the hon. Member said, more than 1,600 people tragically lost their lives on our roads in 2024, and 60% of those fatalities happened on rural roads such as those in North West Norfolk. Indeed, there has been a worrying rise in road casualties in Norfolk: in 2024, a 17% increase took the number of people killed or seriously injured to 555. I welcome the publication of the Government’s road safety strategy, and the ambition to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured by 65% by 2035. However, a few things are worth highlighting.
Awareness of the highway code remains far too low, and people do not refresh themselves on what is in the code—that must be improved.
In the context of the debate, and following contact from constituents, I have been refreshing myself on the highway code, which I admit I had not done before even though I should have done. Awareness is important.
Speeding continues to be a major cause of accidents. However, many residents, Speedwatch groups and parish councils tell me that the process for reviewing or reducing speed limits on dangerous roads is too slow and too expensive, so I look forward to the Government’s new guidance on setting local speed limits, which I hope leads to genuine improvement.
Change needs to be driven by evidence, and in that context I refer to the proposal to reduce the drink-driving limit. Offences are typically caused by people who have greatly exceeded the limit, not by people who have had just a pint, so we must consider that proposal very carefully.
Young people are already waiting too long for driving tests, so I am concerned about the proposal to put in place a minimum six-month learning period. People who take intensive courses can be good drivers. The proposal could make the situation worse.
A number of constituents who ride horses have contacted me with concerns about a lack of driver awareness and the prevalence of speeding and dangerous driving. They face heightened risk, particularly given the limited number of bridleways. The roads connecting bridleways have become more dangerous, too, with over 3,000 incidents in 2024, 80% of which were attributed to drivers passing unsafely. That is unacceptable, and it is why I support the proposals introduced by the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr Dillon), which include setting a required speed and
distance for passing horses, and teaching equestrian safety in driving education. I hope that the Government will look favourably on those proposals.
I turn now to a topic that I have raised repeatedly in the House: sentences for driving offences, which must be tougher. In 2022, Parliament legislated for a maximum sentence of life in prison for death by dangerous driving, but sentences remain far too short, as was demonstrated in a case in which three members of a constituent’s family were killed. Dangerous driving should also result in longer disqualification. Less than 1% of those convicted of dangerous driving were banned from driving for life. Will the Government commit to a review of the sentencing guidelines for all dangerous driving offences, and consider how the Sentencing Council is applying those guidelines to reflect what we in this House consider necessary?
I am grateful to have had this opportunity briefly to speak about this important topic, and I hope that the Minister will respond to some
