Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many drivers were prosecuted in (1) 2015, and (2) 2016, for failure to stop after a collision.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) does not maintain a central record of the number of drivers prosecuted for offences of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic accident.
The offence of failing to stop at the scene of a road traffic accident is created by Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 which imposes obligations on drivers of mechanically propelled vehicles who are involved in road accidents.
Although it is not possible to identify the number of people charged with particular offences, records are held by the CPS showing the overall number of offences in which a prosecution conducted by them commenced in the magistrates’ courts. The table below therefore shows the number of offences, rather than defendants, charged by way of Section 170 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 during 2015 and 2016. It should be noted that a single defendant may be charged with more than one offence.
| 2015 | 2016 |
Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 { 170 } | 9,825 | 9,056 |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System |
It should further be noted that failures to stop at the scenes of traffic accidents are specified proceedings. These are offences which the police prosecute in order to reduce unnecessary bureaucracy and ensure swifter justice. The CPS will only prosecute a specified offence in cases where a not guilty plea has been entered. It may also be the case that the CPS will prosecute this offence when the defendant is charged with other more serious associated offences (for example, failing to stop and dangerous driving or driving under the influence of alcohol). The figures in the table above do not include those specified cases prosecuted by the police.
Asked by: Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb (Green Party - Life peer)
Question to the Attorney General:
To ask Her Majesty's Government how many people were killed or injured as a result of driving offences in (1) 2015, and (2) 2016; what was the victim’s road user mode in each case; and where those statistics are reported.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton
A number of offences under the Road Traffic Act 1988 involve causing death by driving, or may result in injury.
While the CPS does not maintain a central record of the number of people killed or injured as a result of driving offences, or the victim’s mode of transport at the time the offence or offences were committed, the table below shows the number of offences, (rather than defendants) charged under the relevant sections of the Road Traffic Act 1988 during 2015 and 2016. It should be noted that a single defendant may be charged with more than one offence.
| 2015 | 2016 |
Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 { 1 } Causing death by dangerous driving | 228 | 347 |
Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 { 1A } Causing serious injury by dangerous driving | 392 | 504 |
Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 { 2B } Causing death by careless, or inconsiderate, driving | 206 | 275 |
Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 { 3A } Causing death by careless driving: drink or drugs | 26 | 45 |
Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 { 3ZB } Causing death by driving: unlicensed or uninsured drivers | 67 | 87 |
Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 { 3ZC } Causing death by driving: disqualified drivers | 0 | 4 |
Road Traffic Act 1988 and Schedule 2 to the Road Traffic Offenders Act 1988 { 3ZD } Causing serious injury by driving: disqualified drivers | 3 | 8 |
Data Source: CPS Case Management Information System |
Other road traffic offences can also involve death or injury which does not form part of the charge.