Driving Bans!

[Emu2005]

A post today talks about a driving ban received by a 15 year old which expires after they turn 17.

How pointless is a ban on underage drivers? They shouldn't be driving anyway! It's ridiculous! Start the ban when they turn 17 or give a different punishment, to ban someone from driving who is already not allowed to drive is a pointless punishment, it's like banning a burglar from breaking into people's houses!

It really annoys me when these bans are handed out as 'punishment' - how is something a punishment when it should be adhered to anyway??!!

What do people think?

[wilbert]

i totally agree with you some people get banned and sent to prison their ban is over before the prison sentence is completed isn;t it ridiculous

[Buenchico]

When someone who doesn't hold a driving licence (irrespective of their age) drives a vehicle on a public road, they're committing a non-imprisonable offence.

However, driving while banned by a court is regarded as a far more serious offence, which can result in a prison sentence.

The point of imposing a ban on a person who doesn't hold a licence is to permit the courts to consider custody if they drive, without a valid licence, in the future.

Chris

[Fay Mousse]

Thanks for that Chris.

Makes perfect sense now.


Ethel

[Emu2005]

Hmm I guess that explains it.

But still - I don't understand why people can't be imprisoned for driving when they are not allowed.

And also wilbert's point about bans being given when someone is in prison - that is ridiculous.

Thanks for your answers

[New Judge]

I accept your point about driving bans imposed when the person banned will be in prison for the entire duration of the ban. However, one thing to remember is that when someone is sentenced to, say, three years in custody they will certainly not serve more than 18 months and probably a lot less than that. A disqualification for the part of their sentence which they do not serve in prison makes sense.

As far as your other point goes, Chris (Buenchico) has made this clear. Driving without a licence, or when too young to have one, or not in accordance with the one you hold is considered as really an �administrative� offence. Driving whilst specifically disqualified by a court is open defiance of a court order and is viewed much more seriously. It is one of the very few driving offences for which one can be sent to prison.