Motorists could have their vehicles confiscated and destroyed for speeding across a major region, on top of new lifetime driving bans for offences committed on the road.
Jersey State Assembly gathered to discuss harsher penalties for road offences committed on the island, with motorists set to face tougher rules.
The proposals emerged during a State Assembly debate where members discussed strengthening penalties for road traffic offences following recent tragedies on the island's roads.
Deputy Max Andrews of St. Helier North raised the issue during questions to the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Mary Le Hegarat, asking whether consideration had been given to "confiscating and destroying the vehicles of those convicted of speeding offences".
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Jersey has been introducing tougher restrictions and rules for drivers
DVLA/PA
The Minister shared: "If someone exceeds the speed limit by greater than 20mph, they will appear in front of the Magistrate.
"In such cases, an application can be made to the Magistrate for the vehicle to be forfeited and destroyed, which has happened on a number of occasions in the past.
"Notably, such an application may be made in reference to a number of Road Traffic related offences, not just exceeding the speed limit.
"This should be balanced on proportionality, taking into account various considerations and any mitigating factors."
She emphasised that such applications must be balanced on proportionality, taking into account various considerations and any mitigating factors.
The Minister explained that police also have powers under the Police Procedures and Criminal Evidence (Jersey) Law 2003 to seize vehicles as evidence.
"If a vehicle is stopped grossly over the stated limit for the road, the vehicle may hold data which supports the prosecution and will be examined by DVS," she said.
The Minister noted that applications for vehicle forfeiture can be made for various road traffic offences, not solely speeding violations.
Current sentencing guidelines specify driving disqualifications of two years for first offences and three years for second offences committed within 10 years for failing to stop and report incidents.
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X/JERSEY STATE ASSEMBLYHowever, the Minister explained that "courts retain discretion" to impose longer disqualifications where appropriate, with existing law able to provide a maximum six-month imprisonment sentence for failing to stop and report.
The need for tougher rules follows sweeping changes brought forward by Deputy Catherine Curtis, who proposed creating a new offence for failing to stop and provide assistance after serious or fatal accidents.
"It is not about punishment, it is principally about safety and justice," Deputy Curtis told the Assembly.
"Dangerous driving, especially when it results in serious injury or death, and not stopping and not assisting any injured persons, shows a reckless disregard for public safety."
The proposition included requirements for drivers to provide assistance to injured persons, whether by calling emergency services, giving first aid, or flagging down help.
Ministers explained that drivers were more likely to have their vehicles confiscated for breaching 20mph zones
PAThe motion received unanimous support from the Assembly following an emotional debate in which Curtis referenced the deaths of Dean Lowe and his son Charlie.
"Dean was a big character with plenty more to offer to life. That he should have his life cut short and that of his little boy's due to the carelessness and callousness of another person is inexcusable," she said.
Curtis argued that families of victims should never have to see perpetrators driving again, stating: "If a person killed another by shooting them, if entirely accidental, but then walked away leaving that person to die, we would not give them back another gun licence."
The Minister for Infrastructure, Connétable A.N. Jehan, supported the amended proposition, acknowledging how it aligned with Jersey's Collision and Casualty Reduction Plan, which seeks a 50 per cent reduction in road deaths and serious injuries over the next decade.
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