LONDON, England - England's Justice Secretary, Chris Grayling, has announced that disqualified drivers who kill and injure will face much tougher jail sentences.
The maximum sentence for those who kill will rise from two to 10 years and those who injure to a maximum of four years - the second office previously had no specific offence attached to it.
Grayling 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.
PENALTY SHAKE-UP
Reacting, Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of the UK's national road safety charity, 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 Grayling's announcement of a thorough review.
"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 that 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. Tweet us @Brakecharity, #Crackdown.
The maximum sentence for those who kill will rise from two to 10 years and those who injure to a maximum of four years - the second office previously had no specific offence attached to it.
Grayling 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.
PENALTY SHAKE-UP
Reacting, Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive of the UK's national road safety charity, 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 Grayling's announcement of a thorough review.
"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 that 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. Tweet us @Brakecharity, #Crackdown.