MPs to debate petition relating to police powers to suspend driving licences

On Monday 10 January, MPs will debate e-petition 548682, relating to police powers to suspend driving licences.

Christina Rees, the Labour MP for Neath and a member of the Petitions Committee, has been asked by the Committee to open the debate.

The Government will send a Minister to respond.

The petition, which has over 104,000 signatures, states: “We want Police Officers to be able to provide a suspension notice from the moment an offender is caught drink, drug or dangerous driving until they appear in court. It would then be for the Judge to decide whether a ban continues or they are able to continue to drive again.”

On 24th February 2019 Tom McConnachie was killed in a hit and run by a drink driver who left him fatally injured in the road & drove to Okehampton & set fire to the vehicle. The offender was able to continue driving for 11 months before being disqualified as only a court can disqualify a driver.

The petition urges a “Tom’s Law” that will allow police to issue a suspension notice to an offender when arrested at the Road side to stop them from driving until they attend court.

In its response to the petition, provided on 11 February 2021, the Government said: “The Government is committed to reducing road casualties and supporting responsible road users by identifying and prosecuting the few who make our roads less safe for the many.”

The debate will last up to 90 minutes, and will provide opportunities for MPs to question the Government directly on this issue. The debate will take place in Westminster Hall from 16:30, and will be available to view on Parliament TV and on YouTube