Drivers who kill someone in the most serious cases of dangerous and careless driving will now face life sentences.
Causing death by dangerous driving, or death by careless driving while d*unk or on drugs, will carry the top-level punishment.
Jail terms in cases involving mobile phones, speeding or street racing will now be the equivalent of manslaughter, the Ministry of Justice said.
Road safety charity Brake said it was a "major victory" for victims' families.
The move follows criticism that sentences for those convicted over road deaths were too lenient.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41627240
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Using a phone or smoking/eating/drinking at the wheel should carry harsher punishment too. My cousin died on a rural road because a guy dropped a cigarette on the floor in his car.  "
That's unfortunate
Did the driver get any punishment? |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
 |
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Using a phone or smoking/eating/drinking at the wheel should carry harsher punishment too. My cousin died on a rural road because a guy dropped a cigarette on the floor in his car. "
I can understand using the Phone but not eating or drinking.
|
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
I'm glad the sentences have been increased however i bet in most cases drivers will still get far lesser sentences.
A few years ago a guy got less than 2 years for careless driving for killing another road user. He only served half of it too. He was banned from driving for a year but that started while he was in prision !! He even took the case to high court to appeal against his sentence but thankfully that failed. He should have got far longer for killing someone, for making children have a life without their father !! What makes it worse is that he had done it before too. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
|
By *abioMan
over a year ago
Newcastle and Gateshead |
"Good progress but I'm guessing that's max sentence.
But well done to campaigners. "
it is...
for some context the maximum sentence someone can get at the moment is 14 years.... but they very very rarely given up...
the average sentence given for the offence is 4 years..... |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Back in 1987, my brother was a passenger in the works van on the way to a job, early in the morning and thick fog on a twisty road, the driver of the van decided to drive at 55mph and overtake a car on a bend, then met a tarmac lorry coming the other way! My brother was killed instantly and the driver got out without a scratch.
It went to court and the driver pleaded leniency because he had a young child, my brother was 24, married with 2 children under the age of 3. The penalty imposed on the driver was a 3yr driving ban (which he ignored) and a £500 fine.
That isn't justice, it's an insult |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Back in 1987, my brother was a passenger in the works van on the way to a job, early in the morning and thick fog on a twisty road, the driver of the van decided to drive at 55mph and overtake a car on a bend, then met a tarmac lorry coming the other way! My brother was killed instantly and the driver got out without a scratch.
It went to court and the driver pleaded leniency because he had a young child, my brother was 24, married with 2 children under the age of 3. The penalty imposed on the driver was a 3yr driving ban (which he ignored) and a £500 fine.
That isn't justice, it's an insult "
That's very sad. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Back in 1987, my brother was a passenger in the works van on the way to a job, early in the morning and thick fog on a twisty road, the driver of the van decided to drive at 55mph and overtake a car on a bend, then met a tarmac lorry coming the other way! My brother was killed instantly and the driver got out without a scratch.
It went to court and the driver pleaded leniency because he had a young child, my brother was 24, married with 2 children under the age of 3. The penalty imposed on the driver was a 3yr driving ban (which he ignored) and a £500 fine.
That isn't justice, it's an insult
That's very sad. "
It is, and that was a death by dangerous driving conviction in high court.
Shows how little a life is worth, when it can be payed off at a fiver a week like this guy did. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Back in 1987, my brother was a passenger in the works van on the way to a job, early in the morning and thick fog on a twisty road, the driver of the van decided to drive at 55mph and overtake a car on a bend, then met a tarmac lorry coming the other way! My brother was killed instantly and the driver got out without a scratch.
It went to court and the driver pleaded leniency because he had a young child, my brother was 24, married with 2 children under the age of 3. The penalty imposed on the driver was a 3yr driving ban (which he ignored) and a £500 fine.
That isn't justice, it's an insult
That's very sad.
It is, and that was a death by dangerous driving conviction in high court.
Shows how little a life is worth, when it can be payed off at a fiver a week like this guy did."
I can understand your feelings.
My brother was involved in a very serious motorbike accident in which a motorist pulled out of a side road directly into him. He wasn't even banned from driving. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"My daughter was hit on a zebra crossing by a twat on his phone. She was one of the lucky ones thank God. Worst day of my life! "
Last week I'd been with my 2 kids at a pelican crossing on a 40mph dual carriageway, as we got the other side I turned to see the green man start flashing, and a van with loaded trailer hurtle past with the driver on the fone. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Back in 1987, my brother was a passenger in the works van on the way to a job, early in the morning and thick fog on a twisty road, the driver of the van decided to drive at 55mph and overtake a car on a bend, then met a tarmac lorry coming the other way! My brother was killed instantly and the driver got out without a scratch.
It went to court and the driver pleaded leniency because he had a young child, my brother was 24, married with 2 children under the age of 3. The penalty imposed on the driver was a 3yr driving ban (which he ignored) and a £500 fine.
That isn't justice, it's an insult
That's very sad.
It is, and that was a death by dangerous driving conviction in high court.
Shows how little a life is worth, when it can be payed off at a fiver a week like this guy did.
I can understand your feelings.
My brother was involved in a very serious motorbike accident in which a motorist pulled out of a side road directly into him. He wasn't even banned from driving."
That happens far too often , A lot of bikers wear bright leathers and helmets, use headlights in daytime and ride sensibly, yet the excuse is 'they appeared out of nowhere' or 'sorry mate i didn't see you' |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Back in 1987, my brother was a passenger in the works van on the way to a job, early in the morning and thick fog on a twisty road, the driver of the van decided to drive at 55mph and overtake a car on a bend, then met a tarmac lorry coming the other way! My brother was killed instantly and the driver got out without a scratch.
It went to court and the driver pleaded leniency because he had a young child, my brother was 24, married with 2 children under the age of 3. The penalty imposed on the driver was a 3yr driving ban (which he ignored) and a £500 fine.
That isn't justice, it's an insult
That's very sad.
It is, and that was a death by dangerous driving conviction in high court.
Shows how little a life is worth, when it can be payed off at a fiver a week like this guy did.
I can understand your feelings.
My brother was involved in a very serious motorbike accident in which a motorist pulled out of a side road directly into him. He wasn't even banned from driving.
That happens far too often , A lot of bikers wear bright leathers and helmets, use headlights in daytime and ride sensibly, yet the excuse is 'they appeared out of nowhere' or 'sorry mate i didn't see you' "
Yes. He still lives with the consequences of his injuries 30 years later. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Back in 1987, my brother was a passenger in the works van on the way to a job, early in the morning and thick fog on a twisty road, the driver of the van decided to drive at 55mph and overtake a car on a bend, then met a tarmac lorry coming the other way! My brother was killed instantly and the driver got out without a scratch.
It went to court and the driver pleaded leniency because he had a young child, my brother was 24, married with 2 children under the age of 3. The penalty imposed on the driver was a 3yr driving ban (which he ignored) and a £500 fine.
That isn't justice, it's an insult
That's very sad.
It is, and that was a death by dangerous driving conviction in high court.
Shows how little a life is worth, when it can be payed off at a fiver a week like this guy did.
I can understand your feelings.
My brother was involved in a very serious motorbike accident in which a motorist pulled out of a side road directly into him. He wasn't even banned from driving.
That happens far too often , A lot of bikers wear bright leathers and helmets, use headlights in daytime and ride sensibly, yet the excuse is 'they appeared out of nowhere' or 'sorry mate i didn't see you'
Yes. He still lives with the consequences of his injuries 30 years later."
Does he still ride? There are some wonderful bike adaptions available get riders back on 2 or 3 wheels. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Using a phone or smoking/eating/drinking at the wheel should carry harsher punishment too. My cousin died on a rural road because a guy dropped a cigarette on the floor in his car. I can understand using the Phone but not eating or drinking.
"
Why? You are supposed to have two hands on the wheel at all times except for changing gear. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
Anything that interferes with drivers concentration needs addressed. Worst example I saw was a driver on a motorway eating a bowl of cereal!
Several friends and family been hit by d*unk drivers, one lost her baby (8.5 months pregnant) pregnancy not allowed to be mentioned in court.
Lifelong disabilities for the rest of the victims I know.
Longest sentence 18 months. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Back in 1987, my brother was a passenger in the works van on the way to a job, early in the morning and thick fog on a twisty road, the driver of the van decided to drive at 55mph and overtake a car on a bend, then met a tarmac lorry coming the other way! My brother was killed instantly and the driver got out without a scratch.
It went to court and the driver pleaded leniency because he had a young child, my brother was 24, married with 2 children under the age of 3. The penalty imposed on the driver was a 3yr driving ban (which he ignored) and a £500 fine.
That isn't justice, it's an insult
That's very sad.
It is, and that was a death by dangerous driving conviction in high court.
Shows how little a life is worth, when it can be payed off at a fiver a week like this guy did.
I can understand your feelings.
My brother was involved in a very serious motorbike accident in which a motorist pulled out of a side road directly into him. He wasn't even banned from driving.
That happens far too often , A lot of bikers wear bright leathers and helmets, use headlights in daytime and ride sensibly, yet the excuse is 'they appeared out of nowhere' or 'sorry mate i didn't see you'
Yes. He still lives with the consequences of his injuries 30 years later.
Does he still ride? There are some wonderful bike adaptions available get riders back on 2 or 3 wheels."
No and to be honest none of us would want him to. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
"Back in 1987, my brother was a passenger in the works van on the way to a job, early in the morning and thick fog on a twisty road, the driver of the van decided to drive at 55mph and overtake a car on a bend, then met a tarmac lorry coming the other way! My brother was killed instantly and the driver got out without a scratch.
It went to court and the driver pleaded leniency because he had a young child, my brother was 24, married with 2 children under the age of 3. The penalty imposed on the driver was a 3yr driving ban (which he ignored) and a £500 fine.
That isn't justice, it's an insult
That's very sad.
It is, and that was a death by dangerous driving conviction in high court.
Shows how little a life is worth, when it can be payed off at a fiver a week like this guy did.
I can understand your feelings.
My brother was involved in a very serious motorbike accident in which a motorist pulled out of a side road directly into him. He wasn't even banned from driving.
That happens far too often , A lot of bikers wear bright leathers and helmets, use headlights in daytime and ride sensibly, yet the excuse is 'they appeared out of nowhere' or 'sorry mate i didn't see you'
Yes. He still lives with the consequences of his injuries 30 years later.
Does he still ride? There are some wonderful bike adaptions available get riders back on 2 or 3 wheels.
No and to be honest none of us would want him to. "
That's understandable, I dont feel safe riding on the road anymore, so only way I'd be on 2 wheels is on a race track. |
Reply privately, Reply in forum +quote
or View forums list | |
» Add a new message to this topic
