Drink-driver who killed cyclist told to prepare for jail

Driving a motor is far too easy these days what with all the gadgets and driver aids, not being able to turn in the road or around a corner is removed because the government want drivers to be able to use distracting devices in their cars instead, it's a fucking disgrace!

You might as well put a 5 year old behind the wheel. Many youngsters have incidents because they get the buzz of freedom and speed and can do what they like with virtual impunity, being able to accelerate in even a cheap arse motor is ridiculously beyond what most people never mind newbies can handle.

If you restricted motors to be used by everyone to 40bhp and/or acceleration speeds (say 0-60 in 15 seconds max) until they take an advanced driving test+training and agree to have a retest every three years then that would have a massive impact on driving standards.

Also simply reducing the max speeds any motor can attain anywhere, there's zero reason to have a motor than can do anything above 80mph, again something that government could enforce but won't because it's a vote loser/unpopular but they doon't give a fuck if it costs lives and tens of billions to the taxpayers/NHS etc. 

Is increasing the cost of the test a bad thing?  Some of the worst road crashes are the result of poor driving by young, inexperienced drivers, making them save a bit longer might help.  

The test should only be valid for 5 years, then you should have return to a test centre for an automated eye test, a new driving license photo, an automated test on the Highway Code including updates and present a certificate showing you have undertaken some kind of training to improve your driving in the past five years, introducing a the kind of continuous professional development that other safety critical professionals like doctors and engineers have to undertake.  

Better pack an overnight bag and some clean jammies.

It was mentioned in the Cheshire Live's previous articles that he was also charged with "failing to stop at the scene of an accident, failing to provide information relating to the identification of the driver of the vehicle"

There ARE aggravating factors, speeding and over the prescribed alchol level!! It's a callous disregard for the safety of others on the road by driving with too much booze inside you, something everyone knows kills and maims. Speeding, yet more ignorance of the law and is a significant factor in KSIs.

Should get 6 years at the very least, anything less would be a travesty of justice

Current sentencing guidlines don't mention a minimum compulsory prison time, but gives the following guide that implies a lower end of 12 months*, if I'm reading it right.

i) No aggravating circumstances – twelve months to two years' imprisonment (previously 18 months);
ii) Intermediate culpability - two to four and a half years' imprisonment (previously 3 years);
iii) Higher culpability – four and a half to seven years' imprisonment (previously 5 years);
iv) Most serious culpability – seven to fourteen years' imprisonment (previous starting point of 6 years).

There is a 2 year ban with extended retest. It seems that all but the lightest sentance will mean that you serve out your ban in prison!

* http://www.bailii.org/ew/cases/EWCA/Crim/2006/3186.html - paragraph 19

The fact that he is told to expect jail suggests to me it's optional, not expected.