Careless rather than Dangerous charge

This case is representative of many failings of the judicial system: weak investigations; poor prosecution decisions; and lenient sentencing. CTC respects the views of Tom’s family and is glad that Mr Bhamra decided to relinquish his licence, however, we would like to emphasise that prosecution and sentencing decisions like these do not encourage safer driving.

One of the few cases where ‘causing death by careless driving’ has resulted in a reasonable length prison sentence – but this is a motorist, not a pedestrian or cyclist.

Once again, however, the preferred charge of ‘causing death by dangerous driving’ has fallen, this time because he was acquitted in court. In most cases prosecutors don’t even bother bringing the ‘dangerous’ charge to court.

Yet again a case of ‘causing death by dangerous driving’ (in this case seemingly cut and dried) is being weakened to just ‘causing death by careless driving’. No doubt Croome will now receive a vastly reduced sentence – perhaps even none at all.

The move to create a ‘causing death by careless driving’ offence has coincided with a sharp reduction in the number of motorists convicted of killing on the roads from receiving custodial sentences.

Is 20 mph over the 30 mph speed limit really just ‘careless’?

Surely such a gross breach of the speed limit must be considered to be ‘falling well below the standards of a careful and competent driver’?