Court punishments short of prison to include driving bans

[whole diary]

[grahame]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Courts imposing community sentences would have the power to hand out driving and travel bans under legislation expected to be introduced next month.

I heard this earlier - are they really suggesting that people who have committed crimes serious enough to deserve a formal punishment should be denied getting around with his own transport and pushed onto buses and trains.

[ChrisB]

Good punishment, eh? 

[grahame]

Good punishment, eh? 

Certainly helping with education to use more sustainable transport!

[TaplowGreen]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Courts imposing community sentences would have the power to hand out driving and travel bans under legislation expected to be introduced next month.

I heard this earlier - are they really suggesting that people who have committed crimes serious enough to deserve a formal punishment should be denied getting around with his own transport and pushed onto buses and trains.

In much the same way as those banned for drink driving are forced to use public transport?

[Chris from Nailsea]

Radical suggestion: should they be required to staff a cafeteria, or sweep / litter pick the carpark, for a pre-determined unpaid number of hours, at a local facility ... such as Melksham station.

[broadgage]

Radical suggestion: should they be required to staff a cafeteria, or sweep / litter pick the carpark, for a pre-determined unpaid number of hours, at a local facility ... such as Melksham station.

Not sure about staffing a cafeteria as such work gives many opportunities for petty thieving. Litter picking and simple cleaning sounds an excellent idea.
Also removing refuse from the lineside, when the line is closed in any case for engineering work or other reasons.

[grahame]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

Courts imposing community sentences would have the power to hand out driving and travel bans under legislation expected to be introduced next month.

I heard this earlier - are they really suggesting that people who have committed crimes serious enough to deserve a formal punishment should be denied getting around with his own transport and pushed onto buses and trains.

In much the same way as those banned for drink driving are forced to use public transport?

In much the same way, yes ... but you have a difference in scale.  At present, those who become "public transport only" and those who have transgressed on their own private transport.  The proposal is for those who have transgressed on a much much wider set of issues, and whose activities were serious enough to have lead to a custodial sentence.

[grahame]

Radical suggestion: should they be required to staff a cafeteria, or sweep / litter pick the carpark, for a pre-determined unpaid number of hours, at a local facility ... such as Melksham station.

Not sure about staffing a cafeteria as such work gives many opportunities for petty thieving. Litter picking and simple cleaning sounds an excellent idea.
Also removing refuse from the lineside, when the line is closed in any case for engineering work or other reasons.

I am - emphatically NOT - an expert at how people who have transgressed to the extent that they are sanctioned by the law should be handled.  I am aware of risks / concerns that there were at the local cafe in a place that's pretty isolated an quiet times where a single employed member of staff was looking after those who perhaps did not really want to be helping.  In my view such concerns would need to be robustly addressed in order to provide multiple objectives probably including punishment, rehabilitation, and catering, information, travel help, area maintainance and security services to the public.

[Marlburian]

It would affect people in different ways. Less of a problem for someone living in a conurbation with good public  transport, far more for anyone living in a village with two buses (if that) a day.

[TaplowGreen]

It would affect people in different ways. Less of a problem for someone living in a conurbation with good public  transport, far more for anyone living in a village with two buses (if that) a day.

Something for those living in areas with poor public transport considering committing a crime to factor in as a possible consequence?

[Marlburian]

Do many criminals think that they're going to get caught? Statistics on arrests, convictions and meaningful sentencing could make reassuring reading for those considering a crime.

[eXPassenger]

Bearing in mind the number of people caught driving while disqualified I am sure this will be highly effective.

[grahame]

The Times gives us this taster from behind a firewall

‘Epidemic’ of violence and sexual offences against women on trains

The number of violent crimes against women and girls rose by 5% in the year to March 31, while the number of sexual offences increased by 10%

It kinda suggests the care needed if jail sentences are replaced by "you cannot drive" orders.   Clearly, a lot detail is missing yet, but if things aren't done carefully ...

[broadgage]

Elsewhere on these forums, I have spoken in favour of small, lightweight, and speed limited cars, known in France as VSPs.
In areas without suitable public transport, perhaps criminals should be restricted to such vehicles? To some usually young and male drivers, being restricted to 27 MPH and that in a small and lightweight vehicle would be almost as bad as a complete driving ban. It would however permit travel to work or education.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-35210572

[Chris from Nailsea]

Do many criminals think that they're going to get caught? Statistics on arrests, convictions and meaningful sentencing could make reassuring reading for those considering a crime.

Bearing in mind the number of people caught driving while disqualified I am sure this will be highly effective.

I rather think that's the weak link in your line of reasoning, broadgage.