Richard Dawson observes that The Sentencing Council has today published new and revised sentencing guidelines for motoring offences.

The new guidelines have been awaited with interest but also with baited breath as they increase significantly the sentences which are now likely to be imposed in the case of adult offenders convicted of motoring offences in England & Wales.

In particular, to reflect the new maximum sentences for offences including causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs (now carrying up to life imprisonment) the updated versions of the guidelines, that were originally published in 2008, provide for increased starting points and ranges for sentencing.

Additionally, long-awaited new guidelines for the offences of causing serious injury by driving (dangerous driving; careless or inconsiderate driving; driving while disqualified) have now been published – but we are likely to see a significant increase in the length of sentences imposed in these cases going forward.