WA prisons could soon be bursting at the seams with the Barnett government planning to jail motorists who flee from police for at least six months under radical new pursuit laws launched on Sunday.
The government has put the foot down and promised to introduce the tough new legislation if it wins a third term, after police were involved in 1164 pursuits last year alone.
![Police Minister Liza Harvey.](/web/20170122012207im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/r/i/x/3/4/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtw855.png/1485047523773.jpg)
Ironically, the Liberal party's promise to target dangerous motorist was on the same day a 33-year-old Kojonup man was charged for allegedly leading police on a pursuit through Belmont on Saturday night.
Part of the new pursuit package will also see a trial on dash cameras which will be used as evidence against dangerous drivers who evade police.
![WA government is planning tougher new pursuit laws for police.](/web/20170122012207im_/http://www.smh.com.au/content/dam/images/g/i/e/c/5/u/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtw855.png/1485047523773.jpg)
"No ifs, no buts – the second you put your foot down on the accelerator, you are committing to six months behind prison walls," Police Minister Liza Harvey said in a release.
"This is about people who intentionally try to evade or escape police.
"Only the Liberals have a comprehensive police pursuit policy which will see offenders get the serious jail terms they deserve for putting so many lives at risk through their reckless actions."
Juvenile joy riders will escape a prison term, but the Barnett government is planning to crack down even further on dangerous and reckless drivers.
Drivers who cause death in pursuit will have their jail term doubled from 12 to 24-months and any motorist that causes grievous bodily harm while fleeing from police will now spend 18 months behind bars.
Offenders who get a mandatory jail term will not be eligible for parole.
"This means there is no circumstance that a convicted offender can escape prison if they evade police under the Liberals' comprehensive pursuit policy package," Ms Harvey said.
The Deputy Premier said dash cam footage would help convict dangerous and reckless drivers.
"We will continue to provide police with the tools they need to end pursuits quickly and safely to protect the community," she added.
Since 2011, 25 people have died in police pursuits, 19 were the offenders or their passengers.