6/05/14
By Daniel Machin
Tougher sentences are to be handed down to disqualified drivers who kill whilst behind the wheel.
Law reforms announced by Justice Secretary Chris Grayling will see offenders that cause death offered up to 10 years in prison, although those that inflict significant injury will acquire up to 4 years behind bars.
The maximum sentence faced by a driver who causes death even though driving when disqualified is currently 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 nation.
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 contemplating obtaining behind the wheel.
“I want to make our roads safer and make sure men and women who lead to harm face challenging penalties,” he mentioned.
“Disqualified drivers ought to not be on our roads for very good reason.
“These who chose to defy a ban imposed by a court and go on to destroy innocent lives should face serious consequences for the terrible effect of their actions.
“We are sending a clear message that any person who does will face a lot 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.
Final 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 close to Bristol.
Lovell, who had 11 earlier convictions for driving whilst 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 a single of driving although disqualified and was jailed for 10 years and 6 months.
Road safety charities have welcomed the tougher punishments for banned drivers.
“We have long 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 households who have been deeply and permanently impacted by selfish and risky behaviour at the wheel and we regularly hear from these families that they feel terribly let down by our justice program.”
Plans for a complete assessment of all driving offences and penalties, which involves offences committed by uninsured and unlicensed drivers, are also in the pipeline.
Jail warning for drive ban killers
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