ROAD safety campaigners and bereaved families were joined by Redditch MP Rachel Maclean as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the need for a new law, writes Zara Parkes.
The MP has been working with Road Peace West Midlands, the national charity for road crash victims, to change the law by creating a new criminal offence, holding hit-and-run drivers accountable.
The aim is to tighten legislation for those who fail to remain at the scene of a fatal or serious injury crash and reduce the reporting time allowed after a collision.
Mrs Maclean held a drop-in event at parliament with Action Vision Zero and Road Peace West Midlands.
MPs were able to talk with those who have been bereaved through road crashes where the driver failed to remain at the scene
There were also discussions as to why the new criminal offence is necessary.
Mrs Maclean said: “It was incredibly powerful for MPs to hear directly from those who have been bereaved through road traffic collisions where the driver failed to remain at the scene about the need for a new criminal offence to be created.
“Progress is always possible, and we’ll keep going until this new offence is on the statute book.”
Lucy Harrison, West Midlands Coordinator for RoadPeace and Councillor for Batchley and Brockhill, thanked the MP for championing the cause.
She said: “We are so grateful to Rachel Maclean for giving so many families the chance to have their voices heard by those who can make change.
“Having suffered such horrific losses, these families are so courageous in trying to improve the justice system for others.”
