Road safety charity Brake has welcomed the introduction of new tougher sentences for individuals that cause death by driving while they are disqualified.

The issue of disqualified drivers taking to the roads is a serious one that has far-reaching impact for the whole of the nation. Individuals that flout the law in this manner are not only running the risk of further legal action if they are caught, they are also uninsured and have been taken off the road for a reason, meaning they may be unsafe in the first place.

As such, Brake has welcomed the introduction of new lengthier sentences for those who kill while in charge of a vehicle despite the fact they have been banned from taking to the roads, with the new maximum term of imprisonment for those that commit this offence rising to ten years behind bars, up from the previous two years.

Ed Morrow, campaigns officer for Brake, commented: "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 and we hope that judges will make use of them where appropriate."

He added that the move is a "good first step" in ensuring the families of those killed or seriously injured by disqualified drivers receive the justice they are entitled to.

The change has been made as part of the new Criminal Justice and Courts Act that came into force today (April 13th) and forms part of an ongoing review of UK motoring offences and charges being carried out by the Ministry of Justice.

Mr Morrow concluded: "Brake will be pressuring whoever forms the next government to follow the current Ministry of Justice review through to a satisfactory conclusion."