Drivers caught fleeing police face stronger penalties. Photo: RNZ / Richard Tindiller
The government is increasing the amount of time drivers who fail to stop for police can have their license disqualified.
Police Minister Chris Hipkins today announced changes to give officers greater powers to deal with dangerous drivers.
Drivers caught fleeing from police more than once could have their license disqualified for up to two years - up from one year.
The Sentencing Act is being amended so if someone if convicted for failing to stop for police their vehicle could be permanently confiscated.
The government is also giving the police power to impound a car if its owner fails to provide information about the identity of a fleeing driver.
There will be an appeal provisions for vehicle owners who can prove their car was stolen at the time it was impounded.
Hipkins said the changes would help officers respond to dangerous driving that can lead to death and injury.
"It's never okay to flee from Police and put others' lives at risk," he said
"Police have told us these changes will help discourage people from fleeing, because they're now likely to lose the vehicle for longer or for good. It also removes the protection currently afforded to the owners of the vehicle if the offender is driving someone else's car."
Earlier this week, police updated an operational framework for frontline decision making around fleeing drivers.
