Plans to increase maximum driving offences sentences

Plans to increase the maximum length of sentence for causing death by dangerous driving on the Isle of Man from 14 years to life imprisonment have been outlined.

The Department of Infrastructure (DoI) is seeking views on the tougher sentence, which would align Manx guidelines with the UK.

It comes after the sentencing of 36-year-old Jackson Paul for causing the death by dangerous driving of 29-year-old Jordan Thomas in 2024, and his subsequent appeal, which saw his prison term reduced from six years to four.

The DoI said following a recent court case there had been "general interest in the level of the punishment for the offence" because of the differences between the island and the UK.

The move would mean that a conviction for causing death by dangerous driving would have the same maximum punishment as manslaughter.

Currently the offence carries a maximum sentence of 14 years, or a fine, or both, which had been in line with UK legislation until it was updated in 2022.

However, the department noted that increasing a maximum penalty does not guarantee longer sentence lengths, it just enables the courts to impose a sentence length of up to life imprisonment.

Decisions on the appropriateness of a sentence remain with the judiciary and would be made on a case-by-case basis, the DoI said.

The public have been asked if that uplift should be applied to causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs as well, which under existing laws has the same maximum penalty as causing death by dangerous driving.

"Increasing the maximum punishments to life imprisonment for these offences will provide the courts with enhanced powers to sentence appropriately for the most serious cases," the department said.

A public consultation on the proposed changes to the Road Traffic Act 1985 closes on 23 January.

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