Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Mobile Phone and Driving Offences

Same year, same outcome - one death in each, two different cases: one gets 12 weeks in jail (he will serve half), a year ban and £500 fine for costs. the other gets 21months in jail and a 3 year driving ban. One is an MP one isn't


you do the math.

posted by MortimerBones at 11:05 AM

5 Comments:

Blogger Adam said...

Not to defend either party, but one pleaded guilty to the offence, the other didn't... it is standard judicial procedure that a guilty plea results in a shorter sentence.

2:50 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Also, the MP was not on the phone at the time. He had finished his call some 2 miles before he hit the car which had previously been hit by another car (who were found to be completely blameless. The reason the driver was killed is because, a) he was drunk when he crashed his car and although he got out ok, he went back for his phone and b) there were no lights on either the motorway or the crashed car. The MP could not have seen him and therefore hit him.

The outcome of this case could easily mean that if you or I have an argument at home then get in car and kill someone in an accident, we can be sent to jail. The reason? Our mind was on something else.

6:44 PM  
Blogger D Baynham said...

I lost two close friends to someone who may have been using his mobile phone and drove his lorry over their car. If you use a mobile phone like if you have a drink and it causes a death. I cannot see difference of someone going to rob a bank with a gun...it is intent and you are liable....

Off my high horse now

6:45 PM  
Blogger Simon said...

as I cycle in London, I see too many people talking on or look at their phones (not to mention prodding at sat nav boxes), especially at junctions, when I kind of hoped they'd be looking out for other traffic instead.

Occasionally I yell at them, and often they say it's none of my business. They couldn't be more wrong.

8:01 PM  
Blogger eeyore said...

Only the Judge is in possession of all the facts and circumstances to make a decision on sentencing. The Peer (not MP, Bones) had his sentence reduced on appeal because of extenuating circumstances that had not been taken into account by the magistrates.

I do agree with Simon, far too many people are ignoring the dangers of using their phones while driving. I have enough trouble at 2-3 mph with a tiller in the other hand.

9:58 PM  

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