To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many people were (a) prosecuted and (b) convicted for causing death by dangerous driving in 2002; and what the average length of the sentence imposed was. [113362]
Information for 2001 (latest available) is given in the table. Figures for 2002 are due to be published at the end of this year.
| Number of persons1 prosecuted at magistrates" courts and found guilty at all courts for the offence of "causing death by dangerous driving2 by result, England and Wales 2001 | |
| Number of persons proceeded against in the magistrates" court | 272 |
| Total persons found guilty at all courts | 227 |
| Of which given immediate custody3 | 193 |
| Average custodial sentence length (months) | 39.0 |
1 Based on principal offence only. (A defendant is recorded only once for each set of court proceedings against the principal offence involved).
2 An offence under the Road Traffic Act 1999, sec. 1 as amended by the Road Traffic Act 1991, sec. 1.
3 Included unsuspended imprisonment, detention in a young offender institution, detention and training orders, and at the Crown Court secs 90–92 of the powers of Criminal Courts (Sentencing) Act 2000.