Drivers who are caught drink driving for the third time or more could face an increased prison sentence if a newly introduced Bill is passed by Parliament.

The Drink Driving (Repeat Offenders) Bill is a Private Member’s Bill, introduced by Gillingham and Rainham MP, Rehman Chishti. The full text of the Bill has not yet been published, but according to the summary, it is designed to:

“allow the Magistrates Court discretion to refer a third or subsequent offence for drink driving to the Crown Court for sentencing and to grant the Crown Court the jurisdiction to give a custodial sentence of up to two years.”

In other words, drivers caught repeatedly drink driving could face two years in prison instead of the current six months penalty.

Introducing the Bill in Parliament last week, Mr Chishti explained how he thought his proposal would work in practice.

“On a first offence, the vast majority of drink-drivers receive a non-custodial sentence usually consisting of a fine and driving ban,” he said. “On a second offence or in aggravating circumstances, we would expect the Magistrates’ Court to give a harsher sentence ranging from a community penalty to a custodial sentence.”

“On a third offence, the Magistrates’ Court would have the discretion to refer the case to the Crown Court where the offender could receive up to two years imprisonment,” he added.

The Bill is due to have its second reading on 22 November 2013.

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