On 18th August 2008, the Ministry of Justice introduced new motoring offences under the 2006 Road Safety Act along side a revision of sentencing guidelines for motorists who are convicted of careless or dangerous driving. A conviction for such a motoring offence can now carry a custodial sentence, and would adversely affect the cost of your car insurance. Young drivers should take note.
What are the new offences?
The new offences allow courts to imprison drivers who cause death by not paying due care and attention to the road or other road users. Previously the maximum penalty for drivers who kill was a £5,000 fine and penalty points. Likewise the maximum sentence for careless, uninsured or unlicensed drivers who caused death on the roads was a fine, but now courts are able to grant a custodial sentence.
When sentencing motorists who have killed, courts will consider the following avoidable distractions:
using a mobile phone (calling or texting)
drinking and eating
applying make-up
anything else which takes their attention away from the road and which a court judges to have been an avoidable distraction
What are the sentences?
The penalty for causing death by dangerous driving was raised from 10 to 14 years' imprisonment as a result of the Criminal Justice Act 2003. The penalty for dangerous driving that does not cause death is five years' imprisonment. Courts may also convict a motorist who has caused serious injury of 'dangerous driving', and deliver a sentence of five years' imprisonment.
For each offence, disqualification is mandatory and there may be 3 - 11 penalty points imposed. Careless drivers who cause death may also be required to take an extended driving test before returning to the road after disqualification.
What is careless driving?
Where driving falls "below" what would be expected of a competent and careful driver the offence will be careless driving; it carries a lower fault threshold than dangerous driving. Careless driving may involve a momentary lapse of concentration that has disproportionate consequences.
What is dangerous driving?
Driving that falls "far below" what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, and that which gives rise to obvious risk of injury or damage.
Hoot car insurance, young drivers and the law
Any type of motoring conviction will adversely affect the cost of your car insurance, and young drivers face the prospect of being refused car cover if an insurer feels the risk is too great. If a driver causes death whilst driving the risk of being put into prison has become a much greater prospect.
Hoot can offer safe young drivers competitive quotes on their motor insurance premium, and as you continue to drive safely your renewal quotes will come down in price. Call our quoteline now and see if we can beat your young driver car insurance quote.