WA election: Barnett Government promises mandatory jail term for police pursuit offenders
Updated
Drivers in Western Australia who try to flee a police pursuit will be automatically jailed under a new policy promised by the Barnett Government ahead of the March election.
Deputy Premier and Police Minister Liza Harvey today announced that under the policy, anyone who evades police during a pursuit would receive a mandatory minimum six-month jail term.
The penalty for reckless driving during a pursuit, including running a red light, crossing to the wrong side of the road, or turning headlights off, would double from the current six months to 12 months.
"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," Ms Harvey said in a statement.
Since 2011, 25 people have died in police pursuits. Of those, 19 were the offenders or their passengers.
Last year, WA police engaged in 1,164 pursuits.
Under the Liberals' proposed policy, dashboard cameras would be trialled in all traffic enforcement group cars to use as evidence and help get convictions.
Parole would also be removed on mandatory minimum sentences for pursuit offences.
"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.
"No ifs, not buts — the second you put your foot down on the accelerator, you are committing to six months behind prison walls. This is about people who intentionally try to evade or escape police."
The sentence for dangerous driving cause death during a pursuit would increase from 12 to 24 months prison.
The penalty for dangerous driving causing bodily harm during a pursuit would rise from six to 12 months prison.
And offenders would go to jail for 18 months instead of 12 for dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm during a pursuit.
The new mandatory sentencing policy would not apply to juveniles.
Topics: traffic-offences, wa, perth-6000
First posted
