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Increased penalties for dangerous drivers

UK motorists who cause serious injury as a result of dangerous driving risk being jailed for five years under new heightened penalties unveiled by the government.

Under the changes, an offence of "causing serious injury by dangerous driving" is to be introduced that will help address a gap that exists in the current legislation between the offence of dangerous driving, punishable with up to two years in prison, and causing death by dangerous driving, maximum 14-year sentence.

Almost 2,000 people are killed every year on the roads, and according to Justice Secretary, Kenneth Clarke, the government has "listened to the victims of dangerous drivers, their families, MPs, judges and road safety groups and their experiences have directly informed these changes".

"Making our roads safer is a priority - five people died on our roads each day last year, so we need to do everything we can to further improve safety," he added.

Mr Clarke and the rest of Whitehall have moved the increase penalties after an intense campaign from the parents of Cerys Edwards, a one year-old who suffered catastrophic injuries when her family's car was hit by a vehicle travelling at more than 70mph in a 30mph zone. Motorist Antonio Singh Boparan was jailed for 21 months following the offence but then released after serving just six.

And the move has garnered universal praise, with Ellen Booth, the Senior Campaigns Officer at charity Brake, claiming the changes finally mean that "serious injury is recognised within the title of the offence, and this recognition is vitally important to victims and their families".

The changes form part of a wider update in UK motoring offences and road regulations. Last week, Philip Hammond, the Transport Secretary, announced proposals to increase the speed limit on motorways to 80mph while introducing more 20mph zones in towns and cities.

Those who drive under the influence of drugs will also be targeted thanks to new "drugalysers", introduced in police stations, which measure the levels of banned substances in the blood much like current breathalysers.