BRAKE, the Brighouse-based road safety charity, has welcomed new tougher sentences on banned drivers who cause injury or death on the roads.

Anyone convicted of causing death by driving while disqualified could face a maximum of ten years in prison, increased from only two years, while drivers convicted of the new offence of causing serious injury by driving while disqualified will face up to four years in prison.

A wider review of all driving offences and charges is ongoing.

Ed Morrow, campaigns officer for Brake, said: “Getting behind the wheel when a court has already found you to be a danger on the road, and has disqualified you from doing so, is one of the most selfish decisions you can make as a driver. It is entirely right that maximum sentences are being increased.”