The West Australian Opposition is backing a proposal from Independent MP Rob Johnson for motorists who cause death while driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol to be banned from the road for life.

Key points: Rob Johnson planning to introduce private members bill to ban drivers

Rob Johnson planning to introduce private members bill to ban drivers Mark McGowan says Opposition likely to support bill

Mark McGowan says Opposition likely to support bill Premier Colin Barnett defends existing penalties

Mr Johnson, a former Liberal police and road safety minister, said the planned changes would be included in a private members bill introduced to State Parliament.

He said too many drivers who had killed innocent people while under the influence had been allowed to get back behind the wheel after serving a prison sentence.

"I think a lifetime driving ban is a reasonably small price to pay for taking someone's life and is a measure that has been adopted in many countries throughout the world," he said.

"This bill will ensure that once an offender is released from jail, they can never then obtain a driver's licence and possibly commit a similar offence in the future."

The proposal has been endorsed by the daughters of a man who died as a result of a drunk driver.

Michael Craig Burvill was handed a four-and-a-half year jail term in 2015 and suspended for driving for four years on release after he pleaded guilty to dangerous driving causing the death of Martin Roberts.

A court was told Burvill had "11 or 12 beers" before speeding down the wrong side of the road. He will be eligible for parole after two-and-a-half years.

Michael Burvill was drunk when he caused a fatal crash in Karrinyup. ( ABC News: Joanna Menagh )

Mr Roberts' daughters, Catherine and Michelle Roberts, said tougher penalties were needed.

"Our family has been handed a life sentence and yet the offender will be out of jail and back behind the wheel in a few years. Where is the justice in that?" Catherine said.

"Drink driving under any circumstance is unacceptable and if your irresponsible actions cause serious or fatal injury to another person, then you should never be able to drive again."

Opposition Leader Mark McGowan said he was confident Labor would support Mr Johnson's private members bill.

"I think we need to send a message. It's never okay to drink or take drugs and then drive and kill someone, and if you do there's a lifelong consequence," Mr McGowan said.

"Losing your licence for life hardly compares to someone losing their life ... The consequences for drugged or drink drivers are not severe enough."

No commitment from Barnett

Premier Colin Barnett said the State Government would allow Mr Johnson to introduce the bill, although he refused to guarantee it would go to a vote.

"It depends how many [MPs] want to speak, but he'll have the right to introduce that legislation like any other member of Parliament," he said.

Mr Barnett defended the existing penalties for offenders convicted of dangerous driving causing death, but said he also supported "strong penalties".

"I think the community at large are just sick of drink drivers, of speeding, of honing, driving with drugs, inattentive driving," he said.

"I think a lot of people will see merit in it, but I think we've also got to keep a sensible balance

"[Mr Johnson's proposal is] not going to be front and centre of our law and order campaign. He's not a part of Government so he doesn't have a say in that regard."

The bill is expected to be introduced to Parliament later this week.