A disqualified driver who causes death when driving while banned will face a prison sentence of up to 10 years, while a new offence of causing serious injury while disqualified is to be introduced, which will carry a four-year term.
The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) says that it is introducing the changes, which are expected to come into force early next year, after listening to victims’ families, who felt that current penalties were too lenient.
At the moment, the maximum sentence facing 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.
Justice Secretary Chris Grayling said that there is a good reason why disqualified drivers should not be on the road, so those who choose to defy their ban must face serious consequences for the impact of their actions.
He also announced his intention to launch a full review of all driving offences and penalties, to ensure that people who endangered lives and public safety were properly punished. This would include reviewing offences committed by uninsured and unlicensed drivers.
According to MoJ figures, around 8,200 people were convicted for driving while disqualified in 2012, and there were 16 prosecutions and 13 convictions for causing death by driving when disqualified, unlicensed or uninsured.
However, the Labour party has raised concerns that there are already problems with serious overcrowding in prisons and has called on the Government to ensure that there will be enough space to cope with the increased demand brought about by the new laws.