I thank Tracy Elizabeth Venison and everyone who has supported this petition. Every death caused by drink or drug driving is a tragedy, and I recognise the lasting impact on families and communities.

The Government does not propose to introduce an automatic lifetime driving ban for everyone convicted of causing death while under the influence of drink or drugs. Sentencing in individual cases is for the independent courts. They have the evidence before them and are best placed to decide the appropriate period of disqualification, taking account of the circumstances of the offence. Courts can already impose a lifetime disqualification where justified. The relevant sentencing guidance (https://sentencingcouncil.org.uk/guidelines/driving-disqualification/) says this will generally be inappropriate, but recognises that it may be considered where the evidence indicates that the offender would pose a danger to the public indefinitely.

The law already provides substantial penalties. In England and Wales, causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs can each carry a life sentence for offences committed on or after 28 June 2022. Disqualification is normally required for at least five years, although a court may depart from that requirement if it finds special reasons. For a repeat conviction for causing death by careless driving while under the influence, the minimum rises to six years. These are minimum periods, not the default length of a ban: courts may impose longer disqualifications where the case warrants it. An extended driving test is also required.

There is a separate safeguard for certain drink-driving offenders. Under the high-risk offenders scheme (https://www.gov.uk/driving-disqualifications/disqualification-for-drink-driving) people who have repeatedly committed drink-driving offences, had a particularly high alcohol reading or refused an alcohol test must satisfy the DVLA that they are medically fit to drive before a new licence can be issued. This applies after the court-imposed disqualification and is not itself a criminal lifetime ban.

The Government published its Road Safety Strategy (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/road-safety-strategy) in January 2026 to reduce the number of people killed or seriously injured on roads in Great Britain. Effective enforcement is an important part of that strategy. As part of this work, the Government consulted from January to May 2026 on proposed changes to penalties for motoring offences (https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/proposed-changes-to-penalties-for-motoring-offences)

There was a call for evidence (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/624c56938fa8f5277c016a0c/protecting-the-public-from-repeat-drug-driving-offenders-call-for-evidence.pdf) on a proposed high risk offender scheme for drug drivers in 2022. A detailed response to that call for evidence will be included in the Government’s response to the motoring offences consultation.

The motoring offences consultation closed on 11 May 2026. We are considering the responses before announcing next steps, to ensure the motoring offences framework remains appropriate and effective. The Government’s response will be published in the usual way once that work is complete. I am grateful to everyone who has raised concerns about the safety of our roads, including through this petition.

Department for Transport