Banned drivers to face tougher penalties

Drivers who cause death or serious injuries on the roads when they have been banned from driving will face long jail sentences.

Justice Secretary Chris Grayling announced on 6 May that the law would be changed so that disqualified drivers will face up to ten years in prison if they cause death and up to four years’ imprisonment if they cause serious injuries.

Mr Grayling also announced that he planned to launch a full review of all driving offences and penalties, including reviewing offences committed by uninsured and unlicensed drivers.

He said: “I want to make our roads safer and ensure people who cause harm face tough penalties.

“Disqualified drivers should not be on our roads for good reason. Those who chose to defy a ban imposed by a court and go on to destroy innocent lives must face serious consequences for the terrible impact of their actions.”

The current maximum sentence faced by a driver who causes death while driving when disqualified is two years’ imprisonment and there is no specific offence of causing serious injury by driving while disqualified.

The changes to the law are expected to be implemented in early 2015 while the review of driving offences will be carried out over the next few months.