Lifetime ban proposed for hit-and-run drivers

Jersey Deputy Proposes Lifetime Ban for Drivers Who Flee Crash Scenes

Motorists in Jersey who flee the scene of a crash without offering assistance to injured parties should face a lifetime ban from driving, according to a proposal by Deputy Catherine Curtis.

Although existing legislation, dating back to 1956, already makes it a criminal offence to fail to report a traffic accident, Deputy Curtis is calling for a far tougher penalty. She has submitted an amendment to the law that would introduce a permanent driving ban for offenders who abandon accident victims, in an effort to keep dangerous drivers off the roads.

The States Assembly is scheduled to debate the proposal on 13 May.

“Jersey has the highest road casualty rate in Britain,” Curtis posted on social media platform X. “There have been devastating tragedies on our roads in recent years. The law is outdated, and it’s time for change. I want our roads to be safer, and I want accountability for victims and their families.”

Official figures show that over the past five years, the island has recorded nine road deaths and 242 serious injuries.

Currently, those convicted of causing death by dangerous driving can face up to 10 years in prison, with a mandatory driving disqualification of at least two years. However, Curtis believes these measures fall short in deterring repeat offenders or delivering justice to victims.