Bereaved mum 'disheartened' by petition response

A bereaved mother campaigning for tougher sentences for drivers convicted of causing death while drunk says she is "disheartened" with a government reply to her petition.

Tracy Venison had lobbied for automatic lifetime bans for drivers guilty of killing people while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

Her campaign began after a drink-driver killed her teenage son Aidan, who was riding his motorcycle near Wisborough Green in West Sussex in 2024.

The Department for Transport (DfT) said the courts could already impose lifetime bans where justified and were "best placed to decide what is appropriate in each case".

The petition, which more than 49,000 people have signed, describes current laws as failing to "deter repeat offenders and adequately protect innocent people".

It reads: "For the families affected, this legal change could offer a measure of justice and a chance to prevent others from enduring a similar tragedy."

Venison, from Thakeham, told the BBC in July that offenders "should not be allowed to go out and repeat the same thing again and take another person's life".

Toby Spiring, 28, from Littlehampton, admitted to causing Aidan Venison's death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to eight years in prison and a five-year driving disqualification in October 2025.

Spiring had been drinking at a pub and was twice the legal drink-driving limit, according to Sussex Police.

Responding to the petition, the government said the matter was "for the independent courts".

It wrote that it "does not propose to introduce an automatic lifetime driving ban" but the law "already provides substantial penalties".

Courts "have the evidence before them and are best placed to decide the appropriate period of disqualification", according to the DfT.

The offence can carry a sentence of life imprisonment for offences committed after June 2022.

"High risk" drink-drivers cannot get a new licence until they prove they are fit to drive again.

Venison said she was "very disappointed and disheartened by the government response", which she described as "a cop-out".

"The majority of people I have had contact with are astonished to find out that a mandatory driving ban for someone causing death in this way is not already in place," she said.

"The offenders have made a premeditated choice to get into a lethal weapon knowing they are not fit to drive.

"Unless we put more severe penalties, sentences, lifetime driving bans in place, people who choose to drink or drug-drive are going to continue to do so."

On Wednesday, the DfT said: "This was a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with Aidan's family. Driving under the influence is reckless, dangerous and ruins lives.

"Those who cause death through dangerous driving or while driving under the influence of drink or drugs can face life imprisonment, and courts can impose lifetime driving bans."

If the petition receives 100,000 signatures by January, it may be debated in Parliament.

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