On Thursday 25 January 2007 the Panel issued a consultation paper on sentencing for a range of death by dangerous driving offences. Results of an independent public opinion survey investigating public attitudes to sentences in death by driving cases will be considered carefully alongside the written responses and used to inform the Panel's advice to the Sentencing Guidelines Council. The Panel submitted earlier advice on sentencing for the offence of causing death by dangerous driving to the Court of Appeal in 2003 and this has since been used to guide sentencing for that offence and also for the offence of causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs. However, the maximum sentence for both offences has now been increased from 10 to 14 years' imprisonment and these guidelines need revision. In addition, the Road Safety Act 2006 creates two completely new offences - causing death by careless or inconsiderate driving (maximum penalty 5 years' imprisonment) and causing death by driving: unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured driver (maximum penalty 2 years' imprisonment)." (Author/publisher)
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