Maximum penalty for racing?
Discussion
A person who takes part in a race or trial of speed between motor vehicles on a public road is guilty of an offence.
Section 12 Road Traffic Act 1988 - &500 fine, obligatory disqualification/endorsement and notional 3 -11 points (only applied if special reasons found for not disqualifying.
Most Insurance Compaines will not cover racing on their policies so further offence of that.
May I point out that the accident will be fully investigated, the results of which will be aired at Coroner's Court and possibly criminal proceedings. The later may be put in jeopardy by any speculation which may appear on this site ands/or elsewhere.
DVD
Section 12 Road Traffic Act 1988 - &500 fine, obligatory disqualification/endorsement and notional 3 -11 points (only applied if special reasons found for not disqualifying.
Most Insurance Compaines will not cover racing on their policies so further offence of that.
May I point out that the accident will be fully investigated, the results of which will be aired at Coroner's Court and possibly criminal proceedings. The later may be put in jeopardy by any speculation which may appear on this site ands/or elsewhere.
DVD
On a different related point when does speeding become racing? What if theres 3 cars all making progress at circa 100mph on a clear straigjt A road/DC. Would they be classed as racing or simply speeding? What if one car overtook another increasing its speed to 120mph, would that be racing?
Does seem a very grey area.
Matt
Does seem a very grey area.
Matt
There was apparently a case in Grampian (Scotland) IIRC. Someone had been done for speeding whilst overtaking. As part of his defence, he said that he only sped up (to above the limit) when the overtakee sped up to 'close the gap' and keep him out. The Procurator Fiscal (CPS in Scotland) then charged him with racing! 
Further, AIUI the PF did not do anything about the attempted murderer who was being overtaken. Fortunately, the accused was found not guilty of racing, but there you go!
>> Edited by jeffreyarcher on Monday 17th May 16:38
Further, AIUI the PF did not do anything about the attempted murderer who was being overtaken. Fortunately, the accused was found not guilty of racing, but there you go! >> Edited by jeffreyarcher on Monday 17th May 16:38
Racing if proven comes under driving dangerously
"Causing death by dangerous driving " section 1 of the road traffic act 1988.
The law states that: "A person who causes the death of another person by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or other public place is guilty of an offence."
The definition of dangerous driving is that:
A) the way a person drove fell far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, and
B) it would be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that way would be dangerous
Maximum penalty is imprisonment for 14 years and an unlimited fine. Plus usually disqualification for a minimum of 2 years.
If you kill someone whilest racing the CPS will throw the book at you
>> Edited by motorbiker on Monday 17th May 16:51
julianhj said:
Question for the BIB here:
Following on from the A23 crash yesterday, (2 BMWs racing, one loses control and vaults the barriers into oncoming traffic - 6 killed) - what is the maximum penalty the other driver might face, if he is traced?
gh0st said:
is that what happened 
When was this proven? Link anyone?
I thought it was just a numpty related incident!
Where is that information, the BBC say only one BMW lost control and hit a Freelander on the other side of the carriiageway. No mention of racing at all.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/southern_counties/3725459.stm
And I'd hardly call it numpty related since there is no public information on what caused it. Could have been avoidance of another car, tyre blow out...anything.
All I can say is , regardless of cause of crash, the consequences are terrible. The way the cars appeared to disintegrate should make us all aware of the likely outcome if things go wrong. With regard to the accident, as DVD, we should really speculate - all though have probably all formed the same opinion given the facts on BBC website.
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