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Crimes Act 1900
29Culpable driving of motor vehicle
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29 Culpable driving of motor vehicle
drug—see the Road Transport (Alcohol and Drugs) Act 1977,
(2) A person who, by the culpable driving of a motor vehicle, causes the
death of another person is guilty of an offence punishable, on
conviction, by imprisonment for 14 years.
(3) However, for an aggravated offence against subsection (2), the
maximum penalty is imprisonment for 16 years.
(4) A person who, by the culpable driving of a motor vehicle, causes
grievous bodily harm to another person is guilty of an offence
punishable, on conviction, by imprisonment for 10 years.
(5) However, for an aggravated offence against subsection (4), the
maximum penalty is imprisonment for 12 years.
(6) For this section, a person shall be taken to drive a motor vehicle
culpably if the person drives the vehicle—
(a) negligently; or
(b) while under the influence of alcohol, or a drug, to such an extent
as to be incapable of having proper control of the vehicle.
(7) For this section, a person shall be taken to drive a motor vehicle
negligently if the person fails unjustifiably and to a gross degree to
observe the standard of care that a reasonable person would have
observed in all the circumstances of the case.
(8) An information or indictment for an offence against subsection (2) or
(4) shall specify the nature of the culpability, within the meaning of
subsection (6), that is alleged.
(9) Nothing in subsection (8) renders inadmissible in proceedings for an
offence against subsection (2) or (4) evidence that, apart from that
subsection, would be admissible in the proceedings.
(10) Nothing in this section affects—
(a) the liability of a person to be convicted of murder or
manslaughter or any other offence; or
(b) the punishment that may be imposed for such an offence.
Note Under the Road Transport (General) Act 1999, s 62 (Automatic
disqualification for culpable driving), if a person is convicted, or found
guilty, of an offence against this section, the person is automatically
disqualified from holding or obtaining a driver licence.
(11) A person who has been convicted or acquitted of an offence against
subsection (2) or (4) is not liable to be convicted of any other offence
against this Act on the same facts or on substantially the same facts.
(12) Subject to section 49, a person is not liable to be convicted of an
offence against subsection (2) or (4) if the person has been convicted
or acquitted of any other offence on the same facts or on substantially
the same facts.