Karl Turner, Kingston Upon Hull East MP, has won Brake and Direct Line’s Road Safety Parliamentarian of the Month Award for his successful campaign for justice for families who experience the devastation of a serious injury at the hands of a dangerous driver.

Following Turner’s campaign, Justice Secretary Ken Clarke announced a new charge of ‘causing serious injury by dangerous driving’ earlier this month.

Currently, there is no charge that specifically recognises the causing of serious injury while driving.

Those who inflict serious injury through reckless and irresponsible behaviour may only be charged with 'dangerous driving', which carries a maximum of two years in jail, or 'careless driving', which carries a maximum penalty of a fine and disqualification.

Julie Townsend, Brake campaigns director, said: “Brake welcomes this new offence, which will help provide justice to families whose lives have been ripped apart by dangerous drivers.”

Karl Turner MP said: “I am pleased that the Government has seen sense and listened to calls for an increase to the sentence for dangerous driving.

“This offence can destroy lives leaving victims brain damaged, paralysed and sometimes with amputations.

“The Government should be putting the victim at the heart of our judicial system and this change in the dangerous driving law goes someway to doing that.”