The family of a two year old who was left brain-damaged after a road accident, are appealing for tougher sentences for those found guilty of causing serious injury. Kai Khetani was two years old when a vehicle ran a red light and hit him and his grandfather in northwest London in 2016. While his grandfather recovered from his injuries, Kai, now four, is left partially blind and unable to walk talk and swallow.
A court found the driver of the vehicle was using a handheld mobile phone at the time of the accident. He was given a two-year suspended sentence for each victim. Kai's father Rakesh said, “There needs to be a change of law. If I use my mobile phone, nothing is going to happen to me. But if you go out on the road and you punch someone or stab someone, then you end up in jail. What's the difference? You've still ruined someone's life.” Currently, an individual found guilty of causing serious injury by dangerous driving can get a sentence up to five years. Conservative Bob Blackman, the Khetanis' local MP, extended his support by backing their call for tougher sentencing. “I want the family to feel justice has been served, given the circumstances and life-changing injuries inflicted upon the young boy.”
The government had last year, agreed to increase maximum sentences for those who cause death by dangerous driving to life behind bars. However, nothing seems to be putting people off their phones while driving. The Department for Transport doubled spot fines for drivers caught using handheld mobile phones in 2017. However, government figures reveal that since then, more than 26,000 motorists have been caught on their phones.
His mother Niyutee said, “Kai was an ongoing person. He didn't particularly like any sports as such but I don't think he had a choice with his dad loving football. Now he's obviously very changed, he is not independent, things are done for him. But he is still a loved child.”
