Why are the sentences given to people who cause death by dangerous driving so leanient? It's a disgrace to

Question

the legal system and horrific to the family of the person killed.

answers from coppers welcome

Answer 1

This offence carries a maximum penalty of 14 years imprisonment, so that people usually actually serve about 7 years. I don't know if you consider that lenient, but the rationale would be that the *intent* was not to kill - same rationale behind the penalty for manslaughter being less than that for murder.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) may be inclined to agree with you, as it issued a statement in January of this year recommending that CPS lawyers should "take a tougher line" on those who kill in this manner (see sources).

Answer 2

Because everybody does it, drives dangerously at times. Some have the misfortune to hit people and kill them.

Excluding drunk drivers and a a very small proportion who drive dangerously more often than others.

I have been run over five times on my bike, once by a bus full of passengers. I could have been killed every time.

My worst injury was caused by a woman pushing a pram. Should she have been locked up for life for not looking before crossing the road?

Police have got the number of the careless drivers. A neighbour was lucky to escape death and the driver is being prosecuted, even though on the face of it, there was no clear cut case.The driver had been reported before for pulling out into the road without looking, like buses and white vans do all the time.

Some people drive around and they cannot even see properly. But how are they going to get to the shops? Too old to cross the road safely because there are too many cars.

Answer 3

The punishment is there largely for the 'mens rea', i.e. the intent of the offender although legal punishments do include an aspect for 'retribution'. Dangerous driving involves recklessness - i.e. should have seen the potential consequences and took the risk anyway. It is different from intending to do something so attracts a lesser punishment, although if you've lost a loved one it would be hard to see it that way. Death by careless driving takes it a step further, with only fines as the penalty. Here it is a lesser degree of mens rea - many people drive carelessly - eg running into the back of someone at a roundabout at low speed, more momentary lapses. A current campaign exists to have the penalties increased though. Personal view - punish the person who intends harm or is so reckless that he/she clearly didn't care about others. The momentary lapse careless offence - the consequence is more an unforseen outcome than a result of the intended action of someone, so treat it differently.

Answer 4

The entire Judicial system in this country is designed to earn lawyers and barristers an awful lot of money.

In the last 10yrs Sentences have been handed out which really mean the villan serves half.
The Police caution and hand out tickets to free up the courts that don't work.
Prison are like universities and most go to open prison's are allowed home leave weekend leave and other types of leave.

I know I did 10yrs

Answer 5

the certainty that he confirmed no public remorseful approximately could have not any touching on his sentence. some human beings grieve in a distinctive way. regardless of the undeniable fact that i do no longer think of 10 years is adequate for a guy 'driving dangerously' with 4 infants interior the automobile with him.

Answer 6

because mostly death caused by driving is not premeditated murder.... its usually an accident and is not meant and believe me most people who cause a death through their fault or something not premeditated suffer a life time of regret and do feel sorrow for the families who are suffering every case is looked at individually and sometimes its not the drivers fault and sometimes it is believe me its my worst nightmare and think I can speak for most drivers .....think or hope the courts can be subjective in most case and unfortunately a few who should have sterner sentences get away but think the majority of us don't if it was a close family member to me would probably say life and sure it is a life sentence for those who accidentally cause death on the road ....

Answer 7

As a Police officer who has investigated cases of Causing Death by Dangerous Driving, I too am dismayed at the sentencing.
As mentioned above, it is not an issue for the Police. Our job is to bring the offender to court.
The problem with CDBDD is Police have to prove that the driver knew the manner of his driving was dangerous, but continued to drive in that manner, despite the clear and obvious danger.
It is not possible to prosecute for Murder and there is no such thing as a Road Traffic Accident. They are collisions. To call it an accident is to say that no body is to blame, which if a family of a victim hear that no one is to blame for the death of a loved one, is even more distressing.
Trust me, we in the Police also think that the sentencing and courts need a good shake up. For instance, if it is not possible to prosecute for CDBDD, the next best is driving without due care and attention.
For those who think the Police are the ones at fault, please realise it is the Government, as voted for by you the public. To get laws changes lobby your local councillor, that's what they get paid for, ....oh....and stop moaning!
Cheers

Answer 8

Because it's like everything else in this country a big joke.Nobody seems to have any respect for anything anymore and criminals just laugh at the law, it's time we got some strong minded people in our government that wont back down and stand firm once the rules are made. Get rid of the do gooders where criminals are concerned.

Answer 9

There's nothing to stop the CPS from using a manslaughter or murder charge, both carrying a life sentence. However, experience has shown that if there are 3 car drivers on the jury, they won't convict if they think it could have happened to them. That's why they brought in the lesser charge of causing death by dangerous driving with a more lenient sentence.

Answer 10

I voiced the opinion that sentences were too lenient in these cases and the answer I got, from an experienced police officer, was that these deaths are not intentional, and that is the big difference when sentences are imposed.