Steve Brine has welcomed a Government proposal to significantly strengthen sentences for those convicted of dangerous driving.
The Government has committed to ensuring the legislative framework that the courts operate within reflects the seriousness of offending and the culpability of the offender and the proposals in the consultation are intended to offer a proportionate response to these crimes.
One aspect of a wide ranging set of proposals recognises that the maximum penalty for any driving offence where death is caused is often compared unfavourably with the life sentence available for murder or manslaughter. The consultation seeks views on increasing the current maximum penalty of 14 years' imprisonment to life imprisonment for causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs.
John & Wendy Hunt, who live in Winchester city centre, lost their daughter Kathryn nearly four years ago when a driver on prescribed medication crashed into her car on the A34.  They are backing the changes.
The couple have been in regular contact with Mr Brine and are encouraging others to respond to the Government consultation before it closes on 1st February 2017.
Steve Brine said: "Sentencing for dangerous driving has been a matter of significant interest to many of us in Parliament for some time, and the government proposes raising the maximum penalties for some of the most serious driving offences and to create a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving."
Wendy Hunt said: "We would really like to see a positive outcome on this. I think people don't realise just how many people are affected when a loved one, relative, friend or work colleague is killed in a car accident, and as the profile is raised on this awful issue it may make drivers more responsible."
Steve Brine added: "I hope this consultation shows that government is serious about making a real difference but it's not the whole story. I continue to work with Ministers on an idea we've been discussing with the Hunt family that pharmaceutical companies state on the outside of their packaging that the medication inside will cause drowsiness and it is not safe to drive."
Pictured; Kathryn's mother Wendy Hunt with Steve Brine MP
More information ...
The consultation is available to view here