smee the maximum penalty for manslaughter is life in prison. The average sentence for manslaughter (1996-2004) is c.5 yrs.
the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving is now 14 years, but in its application:
Choice and length of sentence
Brake agrees with the recommendation by the Sentencing Advisory Panel that the starting point for causing death by dangerous driving, whether or not there are aggravating features in the case, should be a custodial sentence. However, in contrast to the Panel, Brake feels that many more sentences should be at the higher end of the scale, rather than mainly at the bottom.
The Panel states (moderate culpability, No. 3) that the presence of one or more aggravating features could indicate a sentence within the “higher range, up to three years.” However, Brake points out that three years is only 21% of the possible maximum sentence, and a woefully low sentence for a case involving one or more aggravating factors.
Similarly, the Panel states that “custodial sentences over five years should be reserved for cases involving an extremely high level of culpability on the offender’s part. This might be indicated by the presence of three of more aggravating factors although an exceptionally bad example of a single aggravating feature could be sufficient to place on offence into this category.” Brake would argue that five years, which is only just over a third of the maximum sentence, is again too low.
Average sentancing data wont be available until later this year apparently but Brake site 2x recent cases (I know, hardly independent or obviously representative of all sentencing…) of 15 months and 18 months for Death by Dangerous Driving.