Low jail rate for fatal crash drivers
The average term of imprisonment for motorists found guilty of causing a fatal road accident is two years.
New statistics show 27 people were convicted of dangerous driving causing death in 2005, while four motorists were successfully prosecuted for dangerous driving causing harm.
The figures supplied by the Courts Service, however, exclude any information on sentences handed down by the Dublin Circuit Criminal Court.
The data reveal a low level of prosecutions, when taken against a background of around 290 fatal collisions and 4,130 crashes which result in over 6,000 injuries across the country (excluding Dublin) each year.
Only 14 of the 27 people found guilty of causing a fatal road collision were given a prison sentence. Two of those had part of their sentences suspended.
The highest sentence imposed on a person convicted of the crime was five years imprisonment.
Eight people were given terms of imprisonment of two to three years while five others were handed down sentences ranging between six months and one year.
Nine motorists had sentences of between one month and three years’ suspended entirely.
Two drivers who were found guilty by Roscommon Circuit Criminal Court last year of dangerous driving causing death were fined €1,000 each.
:
* Pedestrians: 71 (18%).
* Drivers: 170 (43%).
* Passengers: 91 (23%).
* Motorcyclists: 51 (13%).
* Pillion passengers: 4 (1%).
* Pedal cyclists: 11 (2%).
* Other: 1.
* Total: 399.
