Should drink and drug-drivers who cause fatal crashes face life sentences?

Came across an article in the Telegraph today about nine in ten people saying that "Drink or drug-drivers who cause fatal crashes should be charged with manslaughter and should face life sentences in prison"

Motorists who are not under the influence of alcohol or drugs should also face hefty sentences of 10 years or more, two-thirds of people believe.

The figues come from a survey of 1000 people carried out by road safety charity Brake, campaigners recently called for the Government to urgently review the guidelines for charging and sentencing criminal drivers.

Current Laws

Death by dangerous driving
minimum sentence of one year in prison, with those convicted also disqualified from driving for at least two years. While judges can hand out prison terms of up to 14 years, although this is extremely rare.

Death by careless driving
Minimum one-year disqualification - an up to five years in prison.


Roads to Justice campaign

Brake wants officials to consider introducing long sentences, getting rid of the charge of careless driving and stopping those convicted from being “automatically released” upon completion of half their prison terms. (please see the Telegraph article for examples of sentences that have been handed out in various situations)

What do you think? should penalties be made larger?