Drivers who cause death on the roads should be jailed for at least five years, according to the majority of motorists.

Some 82% reckon sentences should be higher for those drivers who kill, a survey by Huddersfield road safety charity Brake and insurance company Direct Line found.

Brake said the latest Government figures showed 62% of those convicted of killing someone through risky driving were jailed and only 9% got sentences of five years or more.

- 82% thought sentences should be higher for drivers who kill;

- 81% reckoned if you kill or seriously injure someone when taking any kind of illegal risk at the wheel, you should be considered “dangerous” not “careless” in the eyes of the law;

- 85% said drivers who kill while they were drink or drug-driving (85%) should get five years or more in prison, while 66% supported such sentences for those who caused a death through speeding, with 64% saying the same about those who kill while on their phone;

- 95% thought penalties should be tougher for killer drivers who flee the scene.

Brake deputy chief executive Julie Townsend said: “We want the Government to acknowledge how inadequate current charges and penalties are and take action to prevent traumatised families suffering further insult.

“Denying justice to victim families often has a terrible impact on their ability to rebuild and move forward with their lives.

“Brake bears witness to the consequences for these vulnerable families every day through its support services for bereaved and injured crash victims. Our justice system should make clear that risky, illegal behaviour on roads is no accident: it’s selfish, destructive, and unacceptable.”

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