Too lenient or am I too harsh ?

[JohnG]

This story in my local new caught my eye and I immediately thought that the bloke should have been locked up and banned for longer. Am I turning into a grumpy old man? What do you reckon?
Drunk driver had nearly 2 gallons link

[RockStrongo]

I never understand this - driving seems to be seen as an inalienable right. I can understand that they locked him up but don't see why he should ever be allowed to drive again.

[WillieCocker]

Well done lads.
Now here's your license back, Don't do it again.......

[richard plumb]

I like the ones where they catch someone with no license, and then ban them from driving for 6 months.

But they don't have a license and can't legally drive anyway!

[mickevh]

Originally Posted by RockStrongo

...driving seems to be seen as an inalienable right.

Think you hit the nail on the head there: I have to get my car put through a safety check annually. How come the most dangerous part or vehicle - the squidgy pink thing behind the wheel - is only ever tested for safety once and for all time. Surely drivers should undergo a "checkride" of some kind say every 5 years (like airline pilots do.)

[dazza74]

Originally Posted by mickevh

Think you hit the nail on the head there: I have to get my car put through a safety check annually. How come the most dangerous part or vehicle - the squidgy pink thing behind the wheel - is only ever tested for safety once and for all time. Surely drivers should undergo a "checkride" of some kind say every 5 years (like airline pilots do.)

Going back a few years but my Grandad reapplied for his license, he had little more than tunnel vision at the time but said he was fine and they gave him it

He started driving back from the pub as well which was worrying, sounds terrible but we were rejoicing when he had his car knicked and that thankfully put an end to his driving career.

[WillieCocker]

Originally Posted by dazza74

He started driving back from the pub as well which was worrying, sounds terrible but we were rejoicing when he had his car knicked and that thankfully put an end to his driving career.

Morals, don't you just love em.

[dazza74]

Originally Posted by WillieCocker

Morals, don't you just love em.

I know, different time different generation. How he got his driving license in the first place back then was a story. He obtained it during his time in the army the test was they put a matchbox behind the back wheel and if you could hill start the car without reserving back over the matchbox you passed by all accounts

[WillieCocker]

Originally Posted by dazza74

I know, different time different generation. How he got his driving license in the first place back then was a story. He obtained it during his time in the army the test was they put a matchbox behind the back wheel and if you could hill start the car without reserving back over the matchbox you passed by all accounts

.

[JohnG]

So back to the original question, do others feel that the 16 months jail sentence was too lenient? I personally would have locked him up for 3 years, but not sure if the law allows for this. He could have killed many people.

[Stevieboy_uk]

Originally Posted by JohnG

So back to the original question, do others feel that the 16 months jail sentence was too lenient? I personally would have locked him up for 3 years, but not sure if the law allows for this. He could have killed many people.

Absolutely. Three years minimum and licence removed forever! It amazes me at the lenient sentences these people get just because they were lucky enough not to kill anyone.

[dazza74]

Build a few more prisons to accomdate offenders and then with individuals like these you'd be in a position to throw away the key

Seriously why not class a car as you do a gun? let's be honest if your drunk enough you could comfortably mount a kerb and wipe out a bus queue.

[kBm]

Well, 16 months inside (out in 6 say, with tag) is no holiday. The 'common man' would find it tough, learn a valuable lesson, and never do it again.

Sadly -

Rankin, who admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance, was in breach of a suspended sentence imposed for an offence against his partner. The court was told he had a young son

this guy sounds like he doesn't give a **** about himself, his son, or others road users. So a longer sentence wouldn't even touch the sides.

Originally Posted by richard plumb

I like the ones where they catch someone with no license, and then ban them from driving for 6 months. But they don't have a license and can't legally drive anyway!

Even worse if they are too young to drive in the first place - banned for a year at 13 yrs old or something! Crazy.

[WillieCocker]

Originally Posted by kBm

Well, 16 months inside (out in 6 say, with tag) is no holiday. The 'common man' would find it tough, learn a valuable lesson, and never do it again.

.

I think nowadays, The Common Man would find it tough, get tougher, learn how to be a smarter criminal (through the rest) and absolutley do it again.Just won't get caught.

[Pecker]

I hate drink driving, and think drivers get away with too much, but I've just had a thought.

If he'd had 16 pints, was he in any reasonable state to make a judgement as to whether he was fit to drive or not? If not, then should he be charged with being drunk & disorderly instead of drink driving?

I'm being a little pedantic, but on the other hand...a very few times in my life I've been 'totally out of it', and in retrospect I don't think I was in any fit state to decide on anything. As such you could argue that it would perhaps be unfair of the law to not have been lenient on me for anything I did in that state. Indeed, if I'd murdered someone I believe that I might have got a lighter sentence.

In my experience I believe that most people I know who drink have been in a similar state at one time or another.

Maybe the law should say that, if you haved a drink at all, you shouldn't have your car keys on you.

Steve W