An MP is urging the government to change the law and maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving.

Speaking during transport questions in the Commons, Liz McInnes said: "Last year, 157 people were sentenced for causing death by dangerous driving, and the average length of the sentence was just over six years.

"Does the minister agree with me that if his Government had introduced life sentences for this crime as they promised to in October 2017, that we may have seen a consequent improvement in road safety and fewer of these dreadful crimes that occurred last year?"

In response, transport minister Michael Ellis said his department "takes these matters extremely seriously", and said a great deal of work continues to be done on the subject of road safety.

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But he did not discuss whether the planned increase in maximum sentencing would be put in place.

Mr Ellis instead pointed out the Government had doubled the penalty points for improper use of a mobile phone, something he was later asked about by Labour MP Lilian Greenwood (Nottingham South).

The chairwoman of the Transport Select Committee urged him to commit to doing more to tackle the offences, so it becomes "as socially unacceptable as drink-driving".

She called for an increase in public awareness that whether the phone is used hands-free or not, using it reduces a driver's capability, has the same effect as "being at the drink-driving limit" and makes a road traffic collision "four times more likely".

Mr Ellis said ministers were committed to taking this seriously, and the social media warnings about the dangers will continue.

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