Call for longer driving ban for hit-and-run driver

Shahbaz Khan drove at speeds of more than 60mph (96.6km/h) in the 20mph (32.1km/h) zone of Kings Heath's High Street, police said

Campaigners have called the sentencing of a hit-and-run driver who seriously hurt an eight-year-old boy and his sister "inadequate".

Shahbaz Khan, who drove at 60mph (96.6km/h) in a 20mph (32.1km/h) zone on Kings Heath's High Street in Birmingham, was jailed for two years and eight months

Khan, 29, from Park Road, Sparkhill, was also banned from driving for three years and four months.

Mat MacDonald, from road safety group Better Streets for Birmingham, said it was "unconscionable" he would be allowed to drive again after such a short period of time.

Khan, who pleaded guilty to two counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving, drove through the red light of the pedestrian crossing in June 2023.

The boy's legs were broken in the crash and he suffered a head injury while his 21-year-old sister suffered a broken leg, fractured pelvis and a head injury.

Police said both still live with the physical and psychological impact of their injuries.

The hit-and-run was one of a number of serious incidents on Birmingham's roads which prompted protests in July 2023.

Hundreds attended a rally in Kings Heath with crowds shouting "enough is enough" and graffiti appeared on the road saying "kill your speed, not a child".

Hundreds of people went to the rally in July 2023 near where the boy and his sister were hit by a car

Mr MacDonald said many of the people who joined the protest "will feel rightly incensed by [the] judgement" and the guidance needed to change.

"This is an inadequate sentence for a shocking crime," he added.

"Our hearts go out today to the victims of this collision and their families, doubtless traumatised afresh by the fact that the perpetrator will likely be back behind the wheel within five years.

"This guidance around driving bans must change before more victims are let down by our justice system.

"Longer bans should be mandated for all types of dangerous driving, to deter potential offenders, to rehabilitate convicts and to better enshrine public safety."

'Changed their lives forever'

Khan fled the scene after the crash but a member of the public took a photograph of his car.

He was arrested at his home shortly afterwards and was jailed at Birmingham Crown Court on 28 August.

Det Sgt Paul Hughes, from West Midlands Police, said Khan's driving was completely unacceptable.

"We had two vulnerable road users who showed common sense and good road safety awareness and chose to use a pedestrian crossing correctly which had been placed there to afford them the protection they deserve," he said.

"Sadly the actions of one individual that day changed their lives forever."

Responding to the issue of guidance around driving bans, the Department for Transport said road safety was an "absolute priority" for the government.

"That’s why we are committed to delivering a new Road Safety Strategy – the first in over a decade. We will set out next steps on this in due course," a spokesperson added.