Tim’s Law calls for urgent reforms to tackle drink, drug and dangerous driving following the preventable death of my brother, Tim Burgess.

Current laws and enforcement powers do not always allow authorities to act quickly enough when clear risks are identified.

This must change to prevent further avoidable deaths.

A Preventable Tragedy 💔

 On 18 July 2024, my brother, Tim Burgess, was killed by a driver who was speeding, under the influence of alcohol and drugs, using a mobile phone, and had a history of dangerous driving offences.

Just ten days before the collision, this same individual crashed into a stationary vehicle while under the influence of drink and drugs, fled the scene, and was later arrested. A blood sample was taken, but he was released on bail pending laboratory analysis, a process that can take months. 

This wasn’t a one-off - it was a known pattern of dangerous behaviour. There were clear warning signs about the driver involved, signs that should have triggered action. But gaps in the current system meant those risks were not acted on in time.

As a result, a preventable tragedy occurred. Tim lost his life, devastating a family and leaving a lasting impact on everyone who knew and loved him.

🚨 The Problem 

Too often, action is only taken after lives have already been lost.

Known risks are not acted on quickly enough, leaving dangerous drivers on the road and the public exposed.

These gaps in the system are already having real-world consequences, including:

• Delays in toxicology results mean individuals suspected of drug driving can continue driving for weeks or even months

• The gap between arrest and prosecution leaves the public exposed to repeat offending

• Repeat offenders are often released despite clear ongoing risk

• Existing legislation does not fully reflect modern enforcement capabilities

⚖️ Why Change Is Urgent

Dangerous driving, particularly involving drink and drugs, remains one of the most serious threats on our roads.

Other countries, including Australia, already use evidential saliva sampling, demonstrating that faster and more effective enforcement is possible.

Without reform, lives like Tim’s will continue to be lost.

Tim’s death was preventable. These changes are urgently needed to protect lives.

💡 What Tim’s Law Calls For

We are calling for urgent reforms to prevent tragedies like this from happening again, including:

 1. Immediate Licence Suspension

Drivers suspected of serious offences, including drink or drug driving, should have their licences immediately suspended pending investigation and court proceedings.

 2. Rapid Evidential Saliva Sampling for Drug Driving

Introduce evidential saliva sampling for drug driving, supported by rapid laboratory analysis, to:

• Reduce delays between arrest and prosecution which are currently putting the public at risk

• Enable faster court proceedings

• Prevent suspected drug drivers remaining on the road

This could be implemented without delay.

 3. Stronger Measures for Repeat Offenders

Repeat dangerous drivers should face either:

• Remand in custody where there is clear risk to the public, or

• Strict bail conditions, including curfews, driving bans, and the use of alcohol interlocks and electronic tagging

 4. Strengthened Monitoring, Enforcement and Policing

Introduce stronger monitoring of high-risk drivers and improved enforcement, including:

• Increased use of ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition)

• Ring-fenced funding for police forces to support roads policing

• Greater enforcement of the Fatal Five offences, including speeding and mobile phone use

• Clear and immediate consequences for breaching licence restrictions

 These measures are not about presuming guilt, but about managing risk and protecting the public between arrest and court proceedings.

❤️ A much-loved brother, son, uncle and father

Tim was a much-loved brother, son, uncle and father. His life was taken in circumstances that should never have been allowed to happen.

No family should have to endure such loss when clear warning signs were already present.

 📢 Public Support

Over 212,000 people have already signed this petition, reflecting widespread public concern and a clear demand for change. 

This level of support highlights the urgency for the Government to act.

🛑 Driving Is a Privilege, Not a Right

Dangerous drivers must be stopped before lives are lost - not after.

Tim’s Law seeks to close the gaps in the current system, strengthen enforcement, and ensure that those who pose a clear risk to the public are dealt with swiftly and effectively.

🙏 Our Ask

We urge the UK Government to act now - to reform the law, adopt modern enforcement tools, and prevent further tragedies before more lives are lost each year.

This is not about punishment after the fact. It is about preventing deaths before they happen.