Rejected petition: Sentencing guidelines consider total financial cost of stopping fleeing offender
Rejected on
If a fleeing offender crashes into first responders or civilians, whether deliberately or just while trying to escape, there is no mechanism by which the cost of their action can be reflected in their sentence. As part of pre sentencing reports the 'cost' of their actions should be included.
This means that in two similar situations, an offender who immediately stops when pursued by first responders, will be given a lower tariff, then one who causes multiple collisions and thus puts first responders and civilians at risk. As well as reflecting the wider impact of potentially multiple first responder vehicles being out of commission for extended periods, thus reducing overall public safety. While 'the chase' is very exciting for some, doubling their tariff may make some pause.
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.
Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action. We're not sure exactly what you'd like the Government or Parliament to do.
Driving offences already exist, which may apply to the circumstances you describe: https://www.cps.gov.uk/types-crime/driving-offences
It is also an offence to "obstruct/ resist a police constable in execution of duty". An aggravating factor in sentencing is "injury caused to an officer/another": https://sentencingcouncil.org.uk/guidelines/obstruct-resist-a-police-constable-in-execution-of-duty-revised-2017/
"Failure to stop and/or obstructed or hindered attempts to assist at the scene" is already an aggravating factor in sentencing for the offence of dangerous driving: https://sentencingcouncil.org.uk/guidelines/dangerous-driving/
You could start a new petition explaining clearly what you would like the UK Government or Parliament to do.
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.