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15/07/2008
Death Drivers To Face Tougher Sentences
Motorists convicted of causing death by dangerous driving in England and Wales could face harsher sentences under tough new guidelines introduced today.
The guidance, issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council, covers the offences of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The guidance recommends that drivers who cause a death while reading or writing text messages on a mobile phone should be jailed for up to seven years.
The SGC recommended that drivers involved in the most serious cases, involving drinks drugs or persistent bad driving, should face jail terms of up to 14 years.
The new guidance also recommends a sentence of up to three years for causing death by careless driving, but recommends a community sentence, possibly including the imposition of a curfew, for cases of death by careless driving, caused by "momentary inattention" with no aggravating factors, such as drink or drugs.
The new guidance was welcomed by road safety charity Brake, but the charity warned that they did not go far enough to address the "woeful inadequacy" of the criminal charge structure as a whole for drivers who "kill and maim".
The charity's Chief Executive Mary Williams said: "Despite the Road Safety Act 2006 and its efforts to sort out the mess that is our inadequate road traffic charges, we are still left with an inadequate charge structure and inadequate maximum penalties.
"While we welcome the fact that more drivers who commit offences and kill will hopefully now be imprisoned, the law is still woefully lenient to tackle drivers who kill and maim through their own actions with catastrophic consequences for families."
(KMcA/JM)
The guidance, issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council, covers the offences of causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The guidance recommends that drivers who cause a death while reading or writing text messages on a mobile phone should be jailed for up to seven years.
The SGC recommended that drivers involved in the most serious cases, involving drinks drugs or persistent bad driving, should face jail terms of up to 14 years.
The new guidance also recommends a sentence of up to three years for causing death by careless driving, but recommends a community sentence, possibly including the imposition of a curfew, for cases of death by careless driving, caused by "momentary inattention" with no aggravating factors, such as drink or drugs.
The new guidance was welcomed by road safety charity Brake, but the charity warned that they did not go far enough to address the "woeful inadequacy" of the criminal charge structure as a whole for drivers who "kill and maim".
The charity's Chief Executive Mary Williams said: "Despite the Road Safety Act 2006 and its efforts to sort out the mess that is our inadequate road traffic charges, we are still left with an inadequate charge structure and inadequate maximum penalties.
"While we welcome the fact that more drivers who commit offences and kill will hopefully now be imprisoned, the law is still woefully lenient to tackle drivers who kill and maim through their own actions with catastrophic consequences for families."
(KMcA/JM)
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27 February 2004
Maximum sentence for death drivers rises to 14 years
The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving will increase from 10 to 14 years, Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced today. The increase will target drivers who kill, be it through driving dangerously, driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs or joyriding.
Maximum sentence for death drivers rises to 14 years
The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving will increase from 10 to 14 years, Home Secretary David Blunkett has announced today. The increase will target drivers who kill, be it through driving dangerously, driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs or joyriding.
20 January 2005
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
Foreign Office to issue death certificates for tsunami missing
The Foreign Office has confirmed that it will issue death certificates for British nationals missing, presumed dead, in the Boxing Day tsunami disaster.
31 October 2005
Government to crack down on death driving offences
Tough new offences to deal with drivers who cause death on the roads were announced today by the government.
Government to crack down on death driving offences
Tough new offences to deal with drivers who cause death on the roads were announced today by the government.
20 May 2014
Two Men In Court After Teenager Dies In Collision
A further two men have appeared at Coventry Magistrates Court in connection with a collision where a teenager tragically lost her life. Lucy Commins, 16, was a passenger in a Mercedes CLK that collided with a Volkswagon Golf at the junction of Hinckley Road and Woodway Lane at around 11.25pm on Saturday 22 February. Lucy died at the scene.
Two Men In Court After Teenager Dies In Collision
A further two men have appeared at Coventry Magistrates Court in connection with a collision where a teenager tragically lost her life. Lucy Commins, 16, was a passenger in a Mercedes CLK that collided with a Volkswagon Golf at the junction of Hinckley Road and Woodway Lane at around 11.25pm on Saturday 22 February. Lucy died at the scene.
30 November 2004
Tougher penalties target reckless drivers
Road Safety Minister David Jamieson has announced a raft of new road safety measures today, including tougher penalties for reckless drivers. Mr Jamieson acknowledged the need for a wider range of penalties to "defend the majority of safe drivers against a minority of dangerous ones.
Tougher penalties target reckless drivers
Road Safety Minister David Jamieson has announced a raft of new road safety measures today, including tougher penalties for reckless drivers. Mr Jamieson acknowledged the need for a wider range of penalties to "defend the majority of safe drivers against a minority of dangerous ones.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
