Disqualified drivers who kill or injure now face much tougher sentences, with a maximum of 10 years for those who kill and four years for those who seriously injure. The current maximum sentence is only two years for a death, and there is no specific offence for causing a serious injury while disqualified.
The justice secretary also announced his intention to conduct a full review of driving offences and penalties.Visit the Ministry of Justice news page to see the announcement in full.
Reacting, Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: “Brake has long campaigned for a shake-up of charges and penalties for risky and irresponsible drivers who kill and injure on our roads. Brake supports families who have been deeply and permanently affected by selfish and risky behaviour at the wheel and we frequently hear from these families that they feel terribly let down by our justice system. As such, we strongly welcome Chis Grayling’s announcement of a thorough review this year.
The paltry sentences handed out for deaths and injuries caused by disqualified drivers, who have no right to be on the road in the first place, are one of the worst injustices in the current system, and Brake strongly welcomes the government’s move to address this. Getting behind the wheel when you have been banned from driving is a deliberate and illegal choice, and too often leads to devastating tragedies – the penalties must reflect this.”
Find out more about Brake’s Crackdown campaign for tougher penalties for drivers who kill and injure.
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