A mother whose teenage son was killed by a drink-driver is launching a campaign to demand lifetime driving bans for all individuals who cause death on UK roads while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Tracy Venison's son, Aidan Venison, was 19 years old when he died in a collision near Wisborough Green, West Sussex, on 30 June 2024.
The driver responsible, Toby Spiring, 28, from Littlehampton, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court to causing death by dangerous driving. Police reported that Spiring was more than twice the legal alcohol limit when his vehicle collided with Aidan's motorcycle, an incident that occurred as Spiring attempted to overtake another car after leaving a pub. He was sentenced to eight years in prison and given a five-year driving ban. Upon the conclusion of his ban, Spiring will be eligible to take an extended driving test, and if successful, will be permitted to drive again.
Ms Venison, from Thakeham, expressed her astonishment at the five-year driving disqualification, stating, "This should be a total driving ban. They should not be allowed to go out and repeat the same thing again and take another person's life." She has initiated a petition urging Parliament to implement stricter measures against offenders like Spiring, arguing that it is time to say, "Enough is enough."
Andrew Griffith, Ms Venison's local MP, has voiced his support for her campaign, highlighting that getting behind the wheel while intoxicated or high is a "premeditated state of mind" rather than a momentary lapse of concentration. He emphasised the distinction between such actions and unintentional mistakes made by drivers.
The Department for Transport has acknowledged the severity of the issue, stating that "driving under the influence is reckless, dangerous and ruins lives." They confirmed that courts already possess the authority to impose lifetime driving bans in appropriate cases. Furthermore, the department indicated that a new road safety strategy, the first in over a decade, is expected to further strengthen enforcement and safety measures across the country.