Killer drivers drunk or high on drugs could face life in jail under tough proposed laws

KILLER drivers drunk or high on drugs will be banged up for life under tough new law to be voted on by MPs next week.

Ministers will finally put legislation hiking the maximum sentence that reckless drivers can get from 14 years to life before the Commons on Tuesday after years of delay.


Killer drivers drunk or high on drugs could face life in jail under tough proposed laws
Killer drivers drunk or high on drugs will be banged up for life under tough new law to be voted on by MPs next week (stock image)

The new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill will include provisions for those who kill when speeding, racing or using a phone to get the toughest possible sentence.

And killer drivers who were under the influence of drink or drugs will also be able to be locked up for life.

The current maximum sentence for each crime is 14 years.

The idea was first suggested in 2015, and more than two thirds of respondents backed it when it was put to public consultation a year later.

Last year Justice Secretary Robert Buckland said: “This government has been clear that punishments must fit the crime, but too often families tell us this isn’t the case with killer drivers.”

The new bill will also double the maximum sentence for assaulting an emergency worker from 12 months to 2 years.

It will also toughen up early release for dangerous criminals and terrorists.
Rapists and violent lags will also have to serve two thirds of their sentence rather than half before being considered for release.

Police will also be given new powers over protests that disrupt the public like Extinction Rebellion, as well as increased stop and search powers to tackle knife crime.