UK drivers who kill while on mobile phones could face life sentences - Polidicks

[QUOTE=BlackMageMari;51474061]I don't have any sympathy for people who get into accidents because they were drunk or because they were on their mobile phone. Especially as someone who's learning to drive. It's not fucking hard to stop looking at your phone. People need more self-control.[/QUOTE] You may not sympathise for them but do you at the very least understand how that person may feel knowing that they have taken a life? Do you understand what killing someone can do emotionally to that person? That's what I'm trying to get across, for some people just thinking about it will be torture enough to drive them to suicide. And prisons have a very high suicide rate.

[QUOTE=Jouska;51473980]Life in prision is extreme even for death caused by carelessness. Alot of people here never actually been locked up. Let me tell you that it is much much more worse than you think it is.[/QUOTE] Simple solution: Don't look at your phone while driving. It really is that easy. Just don't even touch it. This isn't like a life sentence for anything harmless, this is for people wilfully distracting themselves while controlling a 1ton+ hunk of metal and risking the lives of not just themselves, but everyone around them. When you're driving, you should be doing one thing and one thing only: Driving.

I hate the prison system. It should only be used for those who really can't learn their lesson. If someone's in jail, they are costing the economy 10's of thousands a year, I feel it makes more sense to bring back 'on the spot' punishments that don't cost the taxpayers fortunes of money. Cut off their mobile phone hand. It's something they won't forget, they won't be able to text while driving, yet still can make some kind of money. It makes sense. Why cost everyone money on the errors of one person?

[QUOTE=_Maverick_;51474099]You may not sympathise for them but do you at the very least understand how that person may feel knowing that they have taken a life? Do you understand what killing someone can do emotionally to that person? That's what I'm trying to get across, for some people just thinking about it will be torture enough to drive them to suicide. And prisons have a very high suicide rate.[/QUOTE] I understand that, I wasn't say that prison is necessarily the right way to punish this. But there does need to be some sort of punishment. Manslaughter is a crime after all.

[QUOTE=ZestyLemons;51474092]I have to agree. It's incredibly shitty to drive while distracted by phones or other stuff, but they're not planning to murder people with their vehicle. Something like a 10 year ban from driving on top of legal fees is more suitable than putting them in prison.[/QUOTE] If someone gives that little of a shit for both the law and people's lives that they'd drive while looking at their phone, what makes you think they'd give enough of a shit to stop driving because the law told them to?

even in my country which still has death penalty all you get is 1 year of jail at most

Good, fuck anyone who goes above 40 km/h while texting. No sympathy for the cunts.

its p.much just a preventive measure. in fact, the wording of w/e this bill is isn't available yet but judging by the way the minister is talking about it, "you could face a life sentence", its not going to be an instant life-sentence if you drink drive and kill someone, but its probs going to be more of an option than it currently is. you'll probably find that noone will actually get a life sentence from doing it, but the threat of one is hopefully loud enough to stop it

[QUOTE=GhillieBacca;51474127]Good, fuck anyone who goes above 40 km/h while texting. No sympathy for the cunts.[/QUOTE] You shouldn't even look at your phone while driving [I]period.[/I]

[QUOTE=_Maverick_;51474099]You may not sympathise for them but do you at the very least understand how that person may feel knowing that they have taken a life? Do you understand what killing someone can do emotionally to that person? That's what I'm trying to get across, for some people just thinking about it will be torture enough to drive them to suicide. And prisons have a very high suicide rate.[/QUOTE] If it's going to affect them that badly, maybe they shouldn't be negligent in the first place. Let's try a thought experiment for a moment: Swap the car for a gun. Have someone with a gun in one hand and their phone in the other, texting someone while firing without looking. If one of their shots hit someone, should they go to jail for it? If so, why is it suddenly ok when it's a car they're operating instead of a gun?

[QUOTE=GhillieBacca;51474127]Good, fuck anyone who goes above 40 km/h while texting. No sympathy for the cunts.[/QUOTE] While the speed of course matters in how serious an accident can get, what if you're on a road going less than 40 and a kid runs out from behind a car? You shouldn't be looking at your cellphone no matter the speed. Get a headset or something that plugs into your car's speaker system or whatever, it's not that expensive or hard. [editline]4th December 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=Marzipas;51474136]its p.much just a preventive measure. in fact, the wording of w/e this bill is isn't available yet but judging by the way the minister is talking about it, "you could face a life sentence", its not going to be an instant life-sentence if you drink drive and kill someone, but its probs going to be more of an option than it currently is. you'll probably find that noone will actually get a life sentence from doing it, but the threat of one is hopefully loud enough to stop it[/QUOTE] Honestly I don't think the life sentence will scare anyone off, no one who's texting and driving are really considering the fact that [I]they[/I] could potentially hit someone with their car in the first place. There need to be heavy fines that are dealt out pretty consistently with a three strikes and you're out kind of deal. It's way too hard to lose your license.

[QUOTE=TacticalBacon;51474149]If it's going to affect them that badly, maybe they shouldn't be negligent in the first place. Let's try a thought experiment for a moment: Swap the car for a gun. Have someone with a gun in one hand and their phone in the other, texting someone while firing without looking. If one of their shots hit someone, should they go to jail for it? If so, why is it suddenly ok when it's a car they're operating instead of a gun?[/QUOTE] I don't understand, do you think I don't, want them to go to prison? Because I do. Like I said in my first comment, I'm a huge advocate for these people to be punished But i'm trying to remind people that the offender is also a person, who might be deeply effected by what has happened. Using your own thought experiment How do think that person holding the gun felt knowing he just killed someone.

As a pedestrian I see so many drivers on their phones passing by its scary. If you willfully use your phone and that causes a fatal crash, life(the legal term of ~20years) seems very fair and good serving of justice. You just took someone's life, and for what, to look at twitter or text someone? That is really cruel.

[QUOTE=_Axel;51473989]??? Justice solely based on intent makes no sense. Are you saying people shouldn't be punished for manslaughter?[/QUOTE] If there was intent behind the negligence, then yes. Otherwise what purpose does the punishment serve? Deterrence doesn't work for accidents, only wilful actions. [editline]4th December 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=Instant Mix;51473860]No incident or death caused by that is an "accident", it's completely willful.[/QUOTE] There is no inherent difference in intent between someone who uses a phone whilst driving and causes a death, and someone who uses their phone whilst driving and does not cause a death. So should they both face life sentences?

they also recently increased the penalty for driving while on the phone to 6 points and a £200 fine, which is a bit lenient in my eyes i agree with them increasing the punishment for people who cause fatal accidents while on the phone. like that lorry driver who killed 4 people because he just HAD to do something on his phone. 10 years. almost an entire family, and he gets 10 years and a ban from driving for 7 years. sure, he has to live with the guilt of killing 4 people, but he also doesn't have to live with 4 less family members so Y'KNOW.

[QUOTE=Superkilll307;51473879]Whats the point of that? Bad drivers aren't hardened criminals, sending them to a prison has no point, revoking there licence would be more fitting. We need to remember justice is not about revenge.[/QUOTE] Don't want life for killing someone while driving and on a mobile? Dont use a fucking phone, it really is that simple. It's not a case of, "I didnt know I was doing wrong" or "I really had to answer the phone", every fucker who's old enough to drive knows it's illegal and dangerous because it's been drummed into us for the past 20 odd years. Don't do the crime, don't do the time, end of.

I have to ask, out of curiosity, why shouldn't it face the same consequences as drunk-driving? In both cases, you're willfully putting yoursef in a situation that causes harm, accident or not. It doesn't even have to be high speeds. In Texarkana, Texas, a woman driving maybe 25mph killed a motorcyclist instantly while texting. Got off with a slap on the wrist.

Can somebody in the UK please smack some sense into your government? Increasing mass surveillance, censoring non-vanilla porn and now life sentences for shitty drivers? Are your representatives trying to destroy the country [I]before[/I] Brexit or what? [editline]4th December 2016[/editline] [QUOTE=Water-Marine;51474202]I have to ask, out of curiosity, why shouldn't it face the same consequences as drunk-driving? In both cases, you're willfully putting yoursef in a situation that causes harm, accident or not. It doesn't even have to be high speeds. In Texarkana, Texas, a woman driving maybe 25mph killed a motorcyclist instantly while texting. Got off with a slap on the wrist.[/QUOTE] They should definitely get a serious punishment, but life in prison just seems ridiculous.

When you're drunk or high your judgment is impaired which means you may not be capable of making logical decisions. When you use a phone, you are fully aware of the action you are taking and the possible consequences, people just delude themselves into thinking they're above the worst happening.

[QUOTE=Tamschi;51474003]It's extreme, but it might be necessary if people are still often doing it with the current legislation in place and then end up killing people. Also consider that when people use their phone while driving in Europe, they almost certainly made the conscious decision to endanger others. There are [I]very[/I] widespread information campaigns highlighting the dangers here in Germany for example.[/QUOTE] Life sentence? Yeah no. That is completely insane. Do some time yourselves before throwing extreme sentences out like candy. Regular murder would give you less time then that lol.

[QUOTE=srobins;51474229]Can somebody in the UK please smack some sense into your government? Increasing mass surveillance, censoring non-vanilla porn and now life sentences for shitty drivers? Are your representatives trying to destroy the country [I]before[/I] Brexit or what? [editline]4th December 2016[/editline] They should definitely get a serious punishment, but life in prison just seems ridiculous.[/QUOTE] remember that life in the UK doesn't actually equate to your entire life, it's around 15 years or so. you can get a full life sentence for certain crimes, but i don't believe that's on the cards here. and in any case, these life sentences will only be handed out to people who kill others due to their negligence. you won't be going to prison just for being on your phone. if you run someone down for being on your phone you're a bit more than just a shitty driver :v: i think if you end up killing 4 or more people because you just HAD to use snapchat, despite knowing what can happen if you use your phone while driving, 15 years is more than justified, due to A) everyone knows it's illegal B) the simplest preventative measure is just [I]to not use your phone[/I]

[QUOTE=EXPLOOOSIONS!;51474254]remember that life in the UK doesn't actually equate to your entire life, it's around 15 years or so. you can get a full life sentence for certain crimes, but i don't believe that's on the cards here. and in any case, these life sentences will only be handed out to people who kill others due to their negligence. you won't be going to prison just for being on your phone. if you run someone down for being on your phone you're a bit more than just a shitty driver :v: i think if you end up killing 4 or more people because you just HAD to use snapchat, despite knowing what can happen if you use your phone while driving, 15 years is more than justified, due to A) everyone knows it's illegal B) the simplest preventative measure is just [I]to not use your phone[/I][/QUOTE] Oh really? That's a lot more reasonable, though the article says "14 years to a lifetime" so I don't know. Even then, I'd say something like 5 years seems more appropriate. I mean, you did kill somebody, but at the same time there's a point where it becomes less about teaching you a lesson (and acting as a deterrent) and more about symbolism imo.

[QUOTE=RobL;51474188]If there was intent behind the negligence, then yes. Otherwise what purpose does the punishment serve? Deterrence doesn't work for accidents, only wilful actions.[/QUOTE] What? Disregarding other people's safety [I]is[/I] willful action. Accidents can happen even when everybody is careful, but if you don't take proper safety measures [I]then you are responsible for the damages your carelessness causes.[/I] I really don't see why it's hard to wrap your head around this.

[QUOTE=srobins;51474268]Oh really? That's a lot more reasonable, though the article says "14 years to a lifetime" so I don't know. Even then, I'd say something like 5 years seems more appropriate. I mean, you did kill somebody, but at the same time there's a point where it becomes less about teaching you a lesson (and acting as a deterrent) and more about symbolism imo.[/QUOTE] The long sentence is not to teach YOU a lesson but to deter others. Unlike with violent crime, most people who text while driving will be intimidated by prison time for such a minor thing. It's easy to avoid, simply don't pull out your phone while driving. That's all.

[QUOTE=_Axel;51474316]What? Disregarding other people's safety [I]is[/I] willful action. Accidents can happen even when everybody is careful, but if you don't take proper safety measures [I]then you are responsible for the damages your carelessness causes.[/I] I really don't see why it's hard to wrap your head around this.[/QUOTE] That's fine then, willful implies there's intent behind it. So what were we arguing again?

[QUOTE=rndgenerator;51474354]The long sentence is not to teach YOU a lesson but to deter others. Unlike with violent crime, most people who text while driving will be intimidated by prison time for such a minor thing. It's easy to avoid, simply don't pull out your phone while driving. That's all.[/QUOTE] I'm just saying like, 5 years, 15 years, same difference, either way I'm going to say "fuck that" and not text and drive. At least with 5 years I could reasonably rebuild my life afterwards and be a useful member of society when I get out.

Good riddance! Maybe now people will put their fucking phones down once in a while. [QUOTE=Superkilll307;51473879]Whats the point of that? Bad drivers aren't hardened criminals, sending them to a prison has no point, revoking there licence would be more fitting. We need to remember justice is not about revenge.[/QUOTE] PRoblem with that is we've tried license revocation and it just does not work. Bad drivers will drive on suspended licenses. They don't care. The only thing stopping them from driving is a physical impedence, like, oh, Idunno, [i]being in jail[/i]. The easy approach doesn't work. Time to get heavy handed.

[QUOTE=srobins;51474268]Oh really? That's a lot more reasonable, though the article says "14 years to a lifetime" so I don't know. Even then, I'd say something like 5 years seems more appropriate. I mean, you did kill somebody, but at the same time there's a point where it becomes less about teaching you a lesson (and acting as a deterrent) and more about symbolism imo.[/QUOTE] Yeah you get the 14-15 years as a minimum term, then they review your case (short of a really strong argument this won't happen earlier than this). If they deem you unfit for the general population still, back you go. This repeats until either they let you out or you die.

I approve people still drive when they've got a driving ban Its the only way to keep dangerous drivers off the road

[QUOTE=TestECull;51474422]Good riddance! Maybe now people will put their fucking phones down once in a while. PRoblem with that is we've tried license revocation and it just does not work. Bad drivers will drive on suspended licenses. They don't care. The only thing stopping them from driving is a physical impedence, like, oh, Idunno, [i]being in jail[/i]. The easy approach doesn't work. Time to get heavy handed.[/QUOTE] In the UK there's a lot of Automatic Numberplate Recognition cameras everywhere so if you drive on a suspended licence on any of the main roads then the police are going to know fairly quickly. If you was dumb enough to go on the motorway then you'd be detected as soon as you got off the on ramp. Only way I could see around that would be to drive around in someone elses car.