To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have to increase penalties for dangerous driving which causes criminal damage. [HL702]

The Government have no plans to increase the penalties for dangerous driving which causes criminal damage.

There is no current specific offence of dangerous driving which causes criminal damage. Indeed, as criminal damage is by definition damage that was caused intentionally, most dangerous driving that causes damage to property would not be classed as causing criminal damage.

The offence of dangerous driving carries a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment, an unlimited fine and mandatory disqualification; the courts could take damage caused as an aggravating factor to this offence. An alternative or additional charge would be for causing criminal damage, the maximum sentence for which is 10 years’ imprisonment.