SOME of East Lancashire’s most ‘reckless’ and ‘dangerous’ drivers have been shamed in shocking dashcam footage.

Lancashire Telegraph readers have shared video footage of other road users’ crashes and near-misses as they back our ‘Stop the Madness’ campaign.

It comes as the campaign celebrates new its first major win as the Ministry of Justice proposals, backed by the Lancashire Telegraph, for tougher sentences for drivers who kill while speeding, racing or using their mobile phones.

Killer drivers will now face the same sentences as people convicted of manslaughter.

Motorists who cause death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs could also be handed life sentences - an increase on the current 14 year upper limit.

The shocking footage shows a BMW driver speeding along a road in Oswaldtwistle before losing control and smashing into a parked car, a wagon driver almost causing a head on smash in Roman Road, Blackburn while overtaking a tractor, a driver cutting up another motorist on the A59 heading towards Clitheroe, as well as driver suddenly breaking after slowly pulling off the hard shoulder, a vehicle jumping a red light and countless motorists dangerously pulling out of junctions.

The standard of driving in East Lancashire has been condemned by politicians and safety campaigners, who have also backed the move towards tougher sentences.

Blackburn with Darwen Council’s highways boss, Cllr Phil Riley, said: “There is a real concern about some of the poor quality of driving in East Lancashire.

“It is dangerous and results in accidents as highlighted in this footage.

“These near misses are becoming an every day occurrence on our roads.

“If driving dangerously becomes a habit it eventually results in accidents and even fatalities.”

Pendle MP Andrew Stephenson said: “The proposed law changes are welcome news. It is a step in the right direction.

“All these incidents highlighted in the footage are underlining some of the worst examples of dangerous driving and highlight some of the concerns people have about the standards of driving in East Lancashire.

“It also shows the need for tougher punishment for drivers to act as a deterrent.

“I have spoken to the police in the past about using dashcam footage to secure prosecutions but that is only possible some of the time.”

Burnley Council leader, Cllr Mark Thompson, said: “I would support strengthening sentencing powers for dangerous driver.

“Hopefully it will be a preventative measures and make people realise the seriousness of these offences.

“There does seem to have been serious incidents where the perpetrators who have got some lenient sentences.

“I condemn any reckless or dangerous driving that puts road users at risk.

“People should treat their vehicles with caution at all times.

“We have all seen this reckless driving and it is disgraceful that it puts other people lives at risk.”

Pendle Council leader, Cllr Mohammed Iqbal, said danger divers think they are ‘invisible’ have ‘no regard for other road users.

He said: “Driving like this is completely stupid.

“If they have no regard for their own lives they should think of their families and the families of their victims.

“These people who drive at high speed think they are invincible when they get behind the wheel. They are a danger to themselves and others.”

The proposals for tougher sentences, which are under consultation until February, include: increasing the maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving from 14 years to life; increasing the maximum sentence for causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs from 14 years to life; creating a new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving with a maximum sentence of three years, and increasing minimum driving bans for those convicted of causing death.

They have been backed by the road safety charity Brake, supporters of the Lancashire Telegraph’s ‘Stop the Madness’ campaign.

Gary Rae, campaigns director for Brake, said: “For too long, the justice system has treated victims’ families as second class citizens.

“We do remain concerned that the charge of ‘careless’ driving could remain.

“Some of the strongest feedback we have received from the families we work with, is that there is nothing careless about taking someone else’s life.

“We also want clarification on whether the current automatic 50 per cent discount, where convicted drivers serve only half their term in jail, will still apply for these new, proposed sentences.”

Justice Minister, Sam Gyimah, said: “Killer drivers ruin lives. Their actions cause immeasurable pain to families, who must endure tragic, unnecessary losses.

“While impossible to compensate for the death of a loved one, we are determined to make sure the punishment fits the crime.

“My message is clear, if you drive dangerously and kill on our roads, you could face a life sentence.”