Learner driver gets two years, does this seem harsh to you?
Discussion
A learner driver who crashed and killed a nine-year-old girl while on her first driving lesson has been jailed for two years.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/21/learner-d...
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/21/learner-d...
The Judge in sentencing said:
Mawamba was "profoundly ignorant" of the most basic driving skills.
It seems to me she was unaware of putting the car in gear. Having done so she was unable to disengage first gear. She did not know how to apply the brake pedal; she could not find the brake pedal; she did not know where it was or what purpose it served.
Setting off driving when so lacking the most basic driving skills amounted to a thoughtless disregard for the safety of others.
In my judgment a prison sentence is necessary to impress upon others that driving a car without having any idea how to control it is seriously antisocial and presents a substantial risk to the public, and such behaviour must strongly be discouraged.
Ummm, no not really.It seems to me she was unaware of putting the car in gear. Having done so she was unable to disengage first gear. She did not know how to apply the brake pedal; she could not find the brake pedal; she did not know where it was or what purpose it served.
Setting off driving when so lacking the most basic driving skills amounted to a thoughtless disregard for the safety of others.
In my judgment a prison sentence is necessary to impress upon others that driving a car without having any idea how to control it is seriously antisocial and presents a substantial risk to the public, and such behaviour must strongly be discouraged.
Bebee said:
A learner driver who crashed and killed a nine-year-old girl while on her first driving lesson has been jailed for two years.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/21/learner-d...
I know the article says "lesson" - but it doesn't sound like much instruction was being given. More like, just turn the key and hope for the best.http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2011/dec/21/learner-d...
I'm normally one who hates the idea of yet more legislation, however, given how bloody difficult it is to get out on public roads on 2 wheels, I'd suggest we need a change to the laws for 4 wheeled learners.
My proposal is that you should have, say, a minimum of 5 hours of tuition with a professional instructor, in a dual control vehicle, before you can go out with a relative in a car without dual controls.
My proposal is that you should have, say, a minimum of 5 hours of tuition with a professional instructor, in a dual control vehicle, before you can go out with a relative in a car without dual controls.
JulianHJ said:
Having read the judge's comments, I think the sentence is fair. Setting off without a clue where the brakes are or how to take the car out of gear? 
Totally agree with you just wanted to add that if she had been to a registered school like the AA or the like the car would of been have probaly been fitted with dual controls so IMHO it would of been avoided.Chicharito said:
I'm normally one who hates the idea of yet more legislation, however, given how bloody difficult it is to get out on public roads on 2 wheels, I'd suggest we need a change to the laws for 4 wheeled learners.
My proposal is that you should have, say, a minimum of 5 hours of tuition with a professional instructor, in a dual control vehicle, before you can go out with a relative in a car without dual controls.
Can't disagree with the sentiment of that. To take someone out in a car with no duals who evidently has no clue is a recipe for disaster. In this case some poor child paid for this horrendous lack of aptitude with their life.My proposal is that you should have, say, a minimum of 5 hours of tuition with a professional instructor, in a dual control vehicle, before you can go out with a relative in a car without dual controls.
king article. Why the feck do people insist on hitting reply and spouting crap when they have no clue what they are talking about One of my acquaintances is an Inspector in the Firearms Unit in the West Midlands.
He has repeatedly commented that if you intend to kill someone, doing it in a car will reduce your sentence by a factor of two thirds. Based upon his observations over many years he has formed the view that the authorities are much more lenient on deaths caused by driving than in any other way.
Over some years I have come to agree with him, sadly.
This is a particularly tragic and serious case.
I believe we are really only just getting to grips with the kind of sentences that such acts must attract.
Whilst I can understand the sympathy of others for the driver, there must be a serious custodial element in such cases. I think the sentence was certainly not too severe but rather probably too lenient.
Such an act must attract appropriate punishment. Sadly.
He has repeatedly commented that if you intend to kill someone, doing it in a car will reduce your sentence by a factor of two thirds. Based upon his observations over many years he has formed the view that the authorities are much more lenient on deaths caused by driving than in any other way.
Over some years I have come to agree with him, sadly.
This is a particularly tragic and serious case.
I believe we are really only just getting to grips with the kind of sentences that such acts must attract.
Whilst I can understand the sympathy of others for the driver, there must be a serious custodial element in such cases. I think the sentence was certainly not too severe but rather probably too lenient.
Such an act must attract appropriate punishment. Sadly.
It will soon be required by law, to be taught by a qualified driving instructor. I think that would be for the best.
That's coming from someone who was fortunate to grow up in a family who, had a father who successfully taught three sons how to pass first time, without any professional lessons.
To add, although tragic, it's warming to see the victims offering their sympathy for those who caused the accident.
That's coming from someone who was fortunate to grow up in a family who, had a father who successfully taught three sons how to pass first time, without any professional lessons.
To add, although tragic, it's warming to see the victims offering their sympathy for those who caused the accident.
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