Publication

Download the spotlight (PDF, 877.6 KB)

This report is part of the Sentencing Spotlight series. These publications present statistics on sentencing outcomes for offences finalised in Queensland courts.

Our Sentencing Spotlight on dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death, defined under section 328A(4) of the Criminal Code,provides insight into cases sentenced between July 2005 and June 2017.

Our research found:

  • a total of 363 offenders were sentenced
  • 33.5% of offenders were adversely affected by alcohol/drugs – one of four aggravating circumstances for this offence
  • the average age of offenders was 32 and 82% of offenders were males
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders made up 8.9% of all sentenced offenders
  • 52.8% of offenders had no previous criminal history
  • 88.6% of all offenders sentenced with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death as their most serious offence (MSO) pleaded guilty
  • 99.4% received a custodial penalty, with the average sentence of imprisonment being 5.2 years.
  • there were no repeat offenders for this specific offence during the 12-year data period.

Read the media release

Think sentencing is easy?

Enter the courtroom and hear the facts about a dangerous driving court case that was based on real-life events. Decide the sentence, judge for yourself .

Technical paper

Our technical paper explains important terminology, data sources, counting rules and methodologies for our research publications.
Download technical paper (PDF, 139.3 KB)