The recent sentence change about causing death offence- view

[Jonathan01n]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-61940351
How you you all think, proportionate or overly harsh? Any more needs to change?

[Dingu]

Makes sense, manslaughter carries a potential life sentence so having that option open seems right. They can sentence less where it is appropriate, just removes a strange cap.

[Superflow]

A step in the right direction.

I don’t believe anyone has been given a 14 year sentence though many should have.

[mattyprice4004]

A great move, but doesn’t really help with our over-crowded prisons!

[untakenname]

Even when someone's killed due to a drink driver the sentencing is usually only a few years maximum inside so if the courts aren't using the existing sentencing powers to the full then what's going to change?

[martinbiz]

Only for causing death while under the influence though, normal dangerous, if there is such a thing, is clearly not so bad then. I despair. But as above whether sentencing will change remains to be seen, but I doubt it

[Ian Geary]

I think I support this measure.*

Causing someone's death is a serious crime. The fact you caused it whilst driving a bit metal thing shouldn't lessen the consequence.

I guess what i don't have enough knowledge on is where "dangerous" actually starts...

Wrong side of road/ignoring red lights etc - yep
Holding a phone - fair enough
35 in a 30 - hmm
"He went past me revving a lot" - no


But there are some brake and eco melts who would convict anyone for just being in a car. I would not want to be in front of a judge or jury in that situation.


However, none of those trivial events are likely to cause a death, so really the fact some has been killed by poor driving should be pretty indisputable.

• Obviously this all depends if I get accused of it. I'm pretty sure I won't.

[martinbiz]

Ian Geary said:

I think I support this measure.*

Causing someone's death is a serious crime. The fact you caused it whilst driving a bit metal thing shouldn't lessen the consequence.

I guess what i don't have enough knowledge on is where "dangerous" actually starts...

Wrong side of road/ignoring red lights etc - yep
Holding a phone - fair enough
35 in a 30 - hmm
"He went past me revving a lot" - no


But there are some brake and eco melts who would convict anyone for just being in a car. I would not want to be in front of a judge or jury in that situation.


However, none of those trivial events are likely to cause a death, so really the fact some has been killed by poor driving should be pretty indisputable.

• Obviously this all depends if I get accused of it. I'm pretty sure I won't.

The change is for causing death while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. The penalties for causing death by dangerous or careless driving not under the influence remain the same