[Travel] Drivers who kill could receive life sentences under law reform

[Stat Brother]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61940351

Drivers who kill could receive life sentences as part of changes coming into force this week.

Judges will be able to hand down life sentences to dangerous drivers who kill and careless drivers who kill while under the influence of drink or drugs.

The current penalty for each crime is a maximum prison sentence of 14 years.


I wouldn't have bothered with that news story, as the 14 year penalty seems to be hens tooth rare, so having a life sentence on the books would appear to be rather meaningless.

But it appeared on my Twitter timeline just a few places above:-

[tweet]1541003627522936832[/tweet]

https://road.cc/content/news/driver-spared-jail-after-killing-cyclist-inexplicably-293887

 

[keaton]

Driving a range rover. Never have guessed

 

[Worried Man Blues]

Why anyone who kills by poor driving doesn't immediately get a life time driving ban let alone jail is beyond me. At lease they will be haunted / reminded by it for the rest of their lives.

 

[portlock seagull]

I guess top sentences are for those wilfully killing others eg drink, drugs, excessive or aggressive speed. But I absolutely doubt as others allude they’d ever be imposed. You need to do a lot in this country to be put behind bars and I have little faith in the Police or MOJ when so woefully underfunded. And that is another reason why I despise Johnson. Basically, we all go by the grace of god each and every day because of other peoples reckless decisions.

 

[jonny.rainbow]

A car is a lethal weapon.

If I killed someone firing a gun negligently in public, I would expect to serve a lengthy custodial sentence and NEVER allowed to be in possession of that lethal weapon again.

Kill someone driving and you should never drive again.

 

[Blue Valkyrie]

Mr Loophole lawyer will be quadrupling his fees !

 

[Weststander]

14 years becomes 'life'.

Good to see the increment.

I wonder if judges will apply it?

The **** in Coventry who mowed down two infants (they died) would've faced this imho.

 

[DumLum]

I’d prefer to see tougher punishments on dangerous driving in general. Obviously the result is worse if somebody gets killed but that’s down to chance. This won’t act as a deterrent for those that use their mobiles whilst driving and It won’t prevent people getting killed on the road.

 

[Stat Brother]

14 years becomes 'life'.

Good to see the increment.

I wonder if judges will apply it?

My very layman's view on the sentencing is the penalty will now become anything from suspended sentence to 7 years.

Averaging out somewhere around a 4 year sentence.


Life absolutely won't even enter the minds of the judge.

But that'll probably mean even more people will be left for dead with a broken back and bones protruding through their legs.

 

[BLOCK F]

Driving a range rover. Never have guessed

The majority of bad and yobbish driving I see is usually by those behind the wheel of BMWs that have seen better days.

 

[Weststander]

I’d prefer to see tougher punishments on dangerous driving in general. Obviously the result is worse if somebody gets killed but that’s down to chance. This won’t act as a deterrent for those that use their mobiles whilst driving and It won’t prevent people getting killed on the road.

Mobile devices should be an instant 1 month ban.

With ZERO exemptions available to magistrates for (eg already for 10,000’s who get to 12 points and escape a ban) the small army pleading; a rural home, a tradesman who needs use of his van.

As with the use of seatbelts, it would be a game-changer.

Leaving a small cabal of people who stare at their mobile, when in charge of a 1.5T missile.

 

[Weststander]

My very layman's view on the sentencing is the penalty will now become anything from suspended sentence to 7 years.

Averaging out somewhere around a 4 year sentence.


Life absolutely won't even enter the minds of the judge.

But that'll probably mean even more people will be left for dead with a broken back and bones protruding through their legs.

When I go for bike rides, it’s my only fear. The driver who takes me out from behind, using their mobile.

I’m fairly safe …. eg always assuming that a driver WILL take a left turn across my path, on narrow country lanes I’m happy to wave cars queuing behind through.


For anyone here ready to turn this into cars are king thread because drivers pay for insurance and tax/duties ….. think child, elderly, disabled, wildlife and pets.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Why anyone who kills by poor driving doesn't immediately get a life time driving ban let alone jail is beyond me. At lease they will be haunted / reminded by it for the rest of their lives.

Immediately? Without any evidence or even a trial?

 

[Stat Brother]

When I go for bike rides, it’s my only fear. The driver who takes me out from behind, using their mobile.

I’m fairly safe …. eg always assuming that a driver WILL take a left turn across my path, on narrow country lanes I’m happy to wave cars queuing behind through.


For anyone here ready to turn this into cars are king thread because drivers pay for insurance and tax/duties ….. think child, elderly, disabled, wildlife and pets.

I have all the fears and with good reason.

I always assume the driver isnt paying attention and will kill me.
(They don't even know me)

I have absolutely no idea why, when on the road, all cyclists don't have the same mentality.
I do everything in my power to know what's going on and articulate that to drivers.

Many of the laws governing the car should also cover cyclists.

Cycling with earphones should be illegal.
Cycling on the phone should be illegal.
Cycling while eating.
No lights dark clothes etc.

It's freakin dangerous out there and the onus for safety has to be with the bike - cos the drivers don't give a fudge.

 

[Eeyore]

Why anyone who kills by poor driving doesn't immediately get a life time driving ban let alone jail is beyond me. At lease they will be haunted / reminded by it for the rest of their lives.

All of us will have made mistakes when driving. How many times will someone have been driving and suddenly seen a cyclist behind them or come close to them and thought 'Where the hell did they come from ?' it's a fact of life. It happens- even to the best of drivers.

Each case is different. Taking an absolutist view is haughty (and probably a bit hypocritical) in my view.

On the flip slide, there are some complete tools out there. Not just driving under the influence, but acting the dicks. Dangerous dicks. That's altogether different.

 

[jessiejames]

How do you avoid a ban when you go over 12 points?

 

[Stat Brother]

How do you avoid a ban when you go over 12 points?

The answer to that is:-

Quite easily.


Start your defense with

'but I really need my car ...


TBH you probably don't even have to finish the sentence.

 

[Worried Man Blues]

Immediately? Without any evidence or even a trial?

I would immediately suspend their driving then depending on court case.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

I would immediately suspend their driving then depending on court case.

Without even being charged? You need evidence to charge someone.

 

[Worried Man Blues]

All of us will have made mistakes when driving. How many times will someone have been driving and suddenly seen a cyclist behind them or come close to them and thought 'Where the hell did they come from ?' it's a fact of life. It happens- even to the best of drivers.

Each case is different. Taking an absolutist view is haughty (and probably a bit hypocritical) in my view.

On the flip slide, there are some complete tools out there. Not just driving under the influence, but acting the dicks. Dangerous dicks. That's altogether different.

Losing your licence isn't the end of the world, dying is. I am not sure how you drive but if I killed someone by bad driving I would expect to be banned for life.