Vol. 462 No. 2
113 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for the Environment if she intends reviewing the legislation whereby a maximum sentence of six months in jail can be passed for persons convicted of careless driving resulting in death; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4398/96]
The Road Traffic Act, 1994 provides that the maximum penalty for the offence of dangerous driving causing death or serious bodily harm is ten years imprisonment or, at the discretion of the court, a fine not exceeding £10,000, or both. A person found guilty of such an offence is liable to be disqualified from holding a driving licence for a period of not less than two years in the case of a first offence, or four years in the case of a second or subsequent offence. The maximum penalty for the lesser offence of careless driving is a fine of £350 or, at the discretion of the court, a term of imprisonment of up to three months, or both. I have no proposals to amend the penalties provided in the Road Traffic Acts in relation to these offences.
