6/05/14
By Daniel Machin
Tougher sentences are to be handed down to disqualified drivers who kill while behind the wheel.
Law reforms announced by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling will see offenders that cause death given up to 10 years in prison, although those that inflict serious injury will get up to 4 years behind bars.
The maximum sentence faced by a driver who causes death even though driving when disqualified is at the moment 2 years in jail.
MPs have pushed for a modify in the law to deal with banned drivers following a number of incidents across the country.
Mr Grayling believes the reforms, which are due to come into force in 2015, will send a clear message to drivers who flout bans and act as a deterrent to those considering acquiring behind the wheel.
“I want to make our roads safer and ensure individuals who lead to harm face difficult penalties,” he stated.
“Disqualified drivers ought to not be on our roads for good reason.
“These who chose to defy a ban imposed by a court and go on to destroy innocent lives have to face serious consequences for the terrible influence of their actions.
“We are sending a clear message that any individual who does will face significantly tougher punishment.”
Official figures show there have been 16 prosecutions and 13 convictions for causing death by driving when disqualified, unlicensed or uninsured in 2012.
Last year, husband and wife Ross and Clare Simons had been killed on a tandem bicycle when they were hit by drug addict Nicky Lovell, 38, driving a Citroen Picasso near Bristol.
Lovell, who had 11 preceding convictions for driving even though disqualified, was becoming pursued by police at the time of the accident.
He pleaded guilty to 2 counts of causing death by hazardous driving and one particular of driving although disqualified and was jailed for 10 years and 6 months.
Road security charities have welcomed the tougher punishments for banned drivers.
“We have extended campaigned for a shake-up of charges and penalties for risky and irresponsible drivers who kill and injure on our roads,” commented Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of Brake.
“Brake supports families who have been deeply and permanently affected by selfish and risky behaviour at the wheel and we often hear from these families that they feel terribly let down by our justice system.”
Plans for a full review of all driving offences and penalties, which contains offences committed by uninsured and unlicensed drivers, are also in the pipeline.
Jail warning for drive ban killers
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