§ Mr. John H. Osbornasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will tabulate in the Official Report the number and type of motoring offences, including breathalyser, whether or 533W not causing an accident resulting in prison sentences of firstly under six months and secondly over six months, and fines—including costs—of over £500, £1,000 and £5,000, respectively; how this compares with five and 10 years ago; and what are his predictions for the future.
PERSONS FINED OR SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT (IMMEDIATE) FOR MOTORING OFFENCES ENGLAND AND WALES, 1965–75 Imprisonment (immediate) Year and offence Fine 6 months and under Over 6 months 1975 Causing death by dangerous driving 376 18 37 Reckless or dangerous driving 6,938 138 17 Driving or in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs 56,591 548 42 Theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle 20,628 1,540 891 Other motoring offences 1,096,745 1,744 80 Total 1,181,278 3,988 1,067 1970 Causing death by dangerous driving 370 2 43 Reckless or dangerous driving 5,762 38 4 Driving or in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs 25,339 266 17 Theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle 15,369 1,011 277 Other motoring offences 918,705 1,952 96 Total 965,545 3,269 437 1965 Causing death by dangerous driving 365 19 28 Reckless or dangerous driving 7,611 74 4 Driving or in charge of a motor vehicle while unfit through drink or drugs 8,623 183 5 Theft or unauthorised taking of motor vehicle 14,306 1,937 92 Other motoring offences 812,519 2,271 27 Total 843,424 4,484 156 The figures far 1975 are not strictly comparable with those for 1970 and 1965 because of changes in the method of recording those sentenced at the Crown Court after summary conviction. In 1975, 1,275 persons were fined and 1,241 sentenced to imprisonment (immediate) in these circumstances.