Further to my above comment, Rachel Begg has today had her sentence reduced from 4 years to 3 years. She has, as I suspected, still not expressed any remorse to the family of her victim. I do not know why her sentence was reduced but as far as I am concerned, an appeal should not have been granted until remorse had been shown to the family.

Katie, DURHAM,

I think that most of the posters here are under the illusion that Rachel Begg feels some regret for what happened to Maureen Waite. I beg to differ and I'm most concerned that Rachel Begg's only regret is that SHE GOT CAUGHT. I'm sorry, but this person was old enough to realise that what she was doing was against the law and she must pay the consequences for her actions. Our laws are in place for a purpose and if you break the law you get punished.

KT

Katie , Durham,

So I agree with this completely, i mean it's stupid to try to text and drive! I was driving down the road today and was stung by a bee at 40mph, talk about almost crashing: luckly my passanger let me know and grabed for the steering wheel. Tryin to kill a bee while drivin is hard enough let alone texting. I mean you got to read and type all your little lols, ugh, and what ever else there is. On top off reading i personally don't see how its possible. Question though; How are the POLICE planning on enforsing this one?if it passes) Just going to pull everyone over for looking down while driving. I think the picture is alittle bigger than we all see. Maybe just another way to pull people over just because? Happens alot round here, along with everything else. Anyways

SmokeYTREATS, Flagstaff, AZ

I would like to add my comments in response to those who have questioned the sentence given to Rachel Begg. The term of four years is entirely in line with the Sentencing Guidelines. Society has had an opportunity to input to the Sentencing Guidelines Committee and they in turn would have issued their guidelines for this offence. This process has recently resulted in sentences for Death by Dangerous Driving to be increased. The honourable Judge Milford would have referred to these, as well as considering, very carefully, all of the circumstances surrounding the tragic accident and the degree of culpability of Rachel Begg, before passing sentence.

Rachel Begg will not only serve a term of imprisonment but she will also suffer significantly in a number of other ways, until the end of her days.

I would like to extend my condolences to the family of Mrs Waites. Theirs has been the greatest loss but regrettably, no term of imprisonment could have been made up for their loss.

Michael, Surrey, UK

I think locking people up (who are not violent nor intentionally setting out to injure people) for years and years is stupid. This girl should have been banned from driving for life, given a short custodial sentence and YEARS of compulsory community service, i.e. donating time to rehabilitation centres for people injuried in car accidents.

But if the government really wants to get the message 'DON'T USE YOUR MOBILE PHONE WHILE DRIVING' across to the general public, then it should start putting people in jail for using their mobile phones while driving REGARDLESS of any accident. I'm pretty sure that if people faced say, two months in jail if caught using a mobile phone whilst driving (WITHOUT causing any accident or injury!) a lot of people would stop doing it.

A Smith, London, UK

It would seem that some people here (KL Sheffield) have failed to understand Helen Adams comment.
She is not saying the sentence is to lenient, she is agreeing with all of the comments made.
At 19 years of age Rachel Begg should know the difference between right and wrong because at the end of the day she is an ADULT

AG, Tyneside,

Is there not just a means to make it technically impossible for cell phones to work inside of cars ?

D.LABORIER, paris, FRANCE

I have great sympathy for the family of Maureen Waites and I see no valid excuse for the actions of Rachel Begg, we must be careful how fingers are pointed. Rachel Begg is not wholly responsible and her sentence is not far too lenient as suggested by Helen Adams. This girl has a life sentence in the knowledge of the outcomes of her actions.
Regarding responsibility, the nature of teenagers is to push actions to their limit, actions they often mimic from adults. Rachel Begg (like other teenagers) will have seen and still see 'adults' regularly using phones and driving in such away that laws are viewed as meaningless and that this is acceptable behaviour. Until the actions of adults are controlled I am sad to say there will always be 'Rachel Beggs'. Undoubtedly Rachel has failed society, but society has failed Rachel. And we must all (including Helen Adams as a defence solicitor) hold our hands up, for we have used or seen someone using a phone whilst driving and done nothing!

KL, Sheffield,

I have read all of your comments and I agree with each and every one of them. Rachel Beggs sentence was far too lenient. Rachel Beggs sentence was extreme by far and the tax payer will have to foot the bill ie you and I the hard working members of the public.
Well I've paid my tax and as a criminal defence solicitor more than I would like.
I am by default now the full time carer of a 74 year old father, I am the new wife of the husband I married on the 1st July 2006 .I am the sister of a brother who keeps on going with a look that hides the pain for his 4 year old daughter and his wife .
I am the daughter of Maureen Waites the woman , the wife ,the mother and sister that was killed on 12th November 2006 . Our family have been devastated beyond words a pain that is indescribable but so too have Rachel Beggs family , she however is wholly responsible for the position she finds herself in today.

Helen Adams, Hartlepool, England

It is very sad that the road safety charity 'Brake' has chosen to weigh in on the side of tougher sentencing without considering what evidence there is that this will be effective in preventing more needless deaths. Their own research has shown that the thing most likely to stop people using their phones whilst driving is an increased chance of being caught. Tougher sentences would deter only 1/3 of drivers. We have little reason to believe that Rachel Begg's prison sentence will be any more effective in reforming her own behaviour than the knowledge that she has caused the death of another person. This sentence seems to me to be a pointless waste of taxpayers money and of two years in a young person's life.

Liz Turner, North Shields,

There is one problem in all this. The instances of accidents caused by the use of a cell phone while driving is way down the list. Everyone wants to make the cell phone out to be the instrument of the devil here when the truth is FAR more accidents, fatal and otherwise, are caused by fiddling with the radio knobs while driving. More still by talking to the passenger, or trying to read a map while driving. All this talk of making sure you are hands free, no matter what the cost, is just reactionary. We think it's all cell phones because that's what makes the news. Do the research before you speak. A voice operated radio would do more to reduce accidents than hands free phones. Duct taping the passenger's mouth would do even more.

Andy, Newport,

The sentence is apt and similiar to the ones handed out in America for manslaughter. It was an accident afterall not purposeful and the girl is suffering as well as the victim's family I'm sure. Cases of this nature leave me feeling for all parties.

Nick, from London: Equating a couple of american responses to the sentiment of a nation indicates you may also be in need of a "chill".

Mark, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

I was informed that now in the UK it was an offence to use your mobile phone while driving, yet when I was recently back in London I was surprised to find that nothing had changed ! People were still taking corners with one hand on the wheel and one hand on there phone - a recipe for disaster ! The law needs to be rigorously administered

Ian B Semp, bangkok, thailand

In mainland Europe they use KPH. In the UK we still use MPH.

Carl Jackson, Nottingham,

The question is how do you make youngsters realise that a car has the potential to kill ver quickly and that 100% concentration is essential.

Phil Kelly, Sydney, Austrakia

These are little loutish thugs who need to be locked up for a lot longer than four years. Better still, a life for a life.

judy, Liverpool, england

Nobody would have got anything but a custodial sentence for this. If anything - (given the apparent absence of aggravating features like drink or drugs playing a part) - the sentence looks a little on the high side.

As a barrister, I find these sorts of cases distressing and am sure the Judge will have found it a difficult sentencing exercise.

I hope the young girl involved realizes that she is still absurdly young. The two years she will serve will pass quickly and she can still lead the life she always planned for herself.

TW, London, UK

A family loses a member because of this "inexperience" (ie. complete lack of regard for other drivers) and that's all she gets. Four years is a disgrace. Priority one, Mr Brown: REAL tougher sentences. Deter, deter, deter. Educate, educate, educate.

Mike, Plymouth,

First, the USA does not have the highest crime per capita than almost every country in the world. Secondly, what does people going to church have to do with ANYTHING here? This is about crime and punishment, laws and retribution. If I go to church, I'm not suppose to think you should do the time if you do the crime? How absurd!

Mary Catherine, Elmhurst, USA, IL

It really is about time that the government imposed far heavier penalties on texting and talking on the phone, people still continue to flout the law. I see it continuously, the recent change in the law is far too lenient and has done very little to change their habits on the phone while driving. Unless drivers are hit by huge fines and driving bans this will always be the case. It is up to government to impose much stiffer penalties, so it wouldn't be worth the risk.

Nick W, Cranbrook, U.K.

A typical consequence of the idiotic culture which emphasises punishing drivers for failing to drive by numbers, i.e. speed limit regulations. Safety on the roads is dependent on high driving standards, and not on do-as-your-told-ism. Drivers ought to be held responsible for the consequences of their actions on the roads, and a couple of years in jail for a killing hardly does that. Of course if there had been a non PC element in the case, i.e. a clash of races, the sentence might have been vastly greater.

Martin, Welwyn Garden City,

A cold, brutal statement from Josh Townsend which shows no feeling for the young woman. Sending her to prison for a longer period would not bring back the victim. She will have to live with the guilt of having made this terrible mistake for the rest of her life.

BC, Cape Town, South Africa

Jay Whitlow was surprised that they have cell phones in Newcastle.
He was also surprised about the mph thing.
Jay Whitlow asked about the jail thing, will they revoke her phone privileges while incarcerated?

Eric Y, wichita, ks

All activities which requires the use of hands while driving should be banned. Telephones with a hands free set can be allowed which has a pre-dialling feature. Driving requires the use of both hands at all times.

Hindupur Rajagopalan, Mississauga,, Ontario, Canada

Rachel will live with what she has done for the rest of her life. As of course will the family of poor Mrs Waites. Tragic. When will we grasp the nettle and arrange our road safety policy so as to demand that people learn to drive safley. That requires that they are adequately trained. It's all well and good saying that people should do this and that, it's a different thing to deal with what people actually do and to try to address that, that is a much greater challenge. The message that you can't do what she did and be safe is one she had not learned. Mrs Waites and Rachel have paid the price of that but she (Rachel) is just one of many young women who just charge around our roads with abandon. Let those who set our road safety policy take their share of responsibility in this and think again. Speed is never the only factor in accidents. Competence, attitude, training and concern for others play a greater part. Those who talk only of boy racers should think again.

paul martin, Wargrave,

The sentence is too lenient and the law not enforced to its full extent.
Drivers should be on a restricted licence after passing there test for at least a year, then drivers should resit tests every 5 years, as a minimum.
Car manufacturers should look at active features to reduce people using mobiles in any vehicle i.e. block mobile use (except 999 calls) and/or introduce compulsory docking stations in car for mobiles with only voice calls enabled via bluetooth through the car audio system.
Another needless death because of a needlass text messgae.
More can be done to educate drivers but ut's not just down to governemt & legislation - it's also down to car manufacturers, mobile phone & mobile phone service providers.

gareth, Essex, UK

I feel really sorry for this young girl. She was of good character and hard working. She wanted to move forward with her life. Now she has to spemd the next two years in a young offender insitute and surely will never be able to work in accounting. Its a real tragedy. The sentence was unjustifably harsh. Many people use their mobile phones while driving. Also it is my understanding that the court was not able to prove that she used her phone during a three minute period before the crash happened. The majority of the comments posted her are merely reactionary tosh- "VERY HARD" and "complete lack of respect among our younger generation" from ebvkev, who apparently wants young people to bow down to him as he walks down his local high street. The comments demonstrate a very unjustified fear of youth; that young people are not growing up as they did so they are scared. It’s an unfortunate situation.

Jonjo, London, England

Quite a few people seem to be missing the point here....TEXTING WHILST DRIVING!! Hello? That's pure insanity - much worse in my opinion than just speaking on a mobile.

Many, many accidents could be avoided by people paying a bit more attention to what they're doing. I'm no saint behind the wheel but I do put a high priority on being aware of what's going on around me.

I can't believe the bleeding hearts here, she should have been made an example of to discourage others. What the hell did she think was likely to happen by acting so irresponsibly?

Grr.

Geoff, South Croydon,

Too lenient the sentence..but there again the jails are full...Blairs failure and agree with Andrew that she should be banned from driving or given something like a 10 year ban at least.

Sherry..USA...the metric system only applies to Europe(EU) and we use the Imperial standards of weights and measures in the UK

jkm, Durham,

Four years is inane. For such a horrific accident, minimal jail time is appropriate - it does neither party any good and does not serve as a deterrent to doing it again. Much more appropriate would be for Ms. Begg to have to pay substantial fines and to suffer the consequences of civil judgements against her. She should have to forfeit the majority of her present and future salaries for the next twenty years to the family of the deceased.

I have become quite cynical of the notion of throwing someone in prison as the answer to everything offence when, it seems, more effective punishments are avaialble. Prison serves the public's need for retribution, not the cause of justice.

Thomas, Atlanta, GA, USA

What a pathetic sentence. Law and order really means nothing in England anymore. 4 years being sentenced to a young offenders hotel is hardly a punishment.

She even had the audacity to initially deny she was using her phone which should warrant a doubling of the sentence having been found guilty afterwards (with what appears to be concrete proof).

Justin, London,

What is the difference between a driver using a phone without incident and one who causes a fatal accident? Answer - Bad Luck! By fining phone users £60 we acknowledge the balance between the possible seriousness of the consequences and the very small liklihood of them actually occuring. In sentencing this girl to four years prison we have effectively punished her for her bad luck, as if she will not already regret her actions for the rest of her life. Nor is a prison sentence likely to deter others. No one would use a phone whilst driving if they really thought it would kill someone, Punishment should be proportionate to culpability but in this case it seems to be more about satisfying the self-rightious vindictiveness of a baying mob.

Tim, London,

Sir,
I am certain that by adapting current military technology and techniques it would be possible to ensure that the interior of a car could be isolated from phone signals, without affecting radio reception, thereby making handheld mobile phones unuseable. My experience, after more than a million miles of motoring, indicates to me that new drivers, enclosed in a metal box, appear to have no contact with the outside world with regard to speed, road conditions and changing circumstances. Another possibility is to increase the minimum age to drive a car and also, similar to motocycles, mimimise the horsepower for say one/two years until experience is gained in relative safety. Finally, whenever I am overtaken on motorways by small high reving cars the majority are driven by young women. I might point out that I am normally driving at the motorway speed allowed or just above. Something urgent has got to be done to stop the current slaughter on the roads and waste of young lives.

Alan James, Petersfield, Hampshire

The problem is if it is going to be a deterrent people have to know about it, otherwise it won't be a deterrent and will be forgotten about in a coupel fo days

One of our public service broadcasters (BBC, that we pay for or CH4) should be forced to make a program featuring this woman, and she should be forced to take part to get any time off her sentence

Andrew, Cambridge,

I am positively shocked by many of the responses to this. Locking her up solves nothing except giving the taxpayer a 60,000 pound bill and ruining a decent young persons life who made a mistake. I have answered the phone in the car on many occassions. Yes its wrong, yes its dangerous but we are all better than average drivers, right?

For 10 years she should be banned from driving, weekend community work and 10% of her salary should go to the family. Sending an innocent girl to jail will simply put another criminal on the streets in 4 years time

John, Crete, Greece

I don't believe there to be any one right answer. How much value do you put on a human life and what is the suitable punishment for the various ways a life can be taken so you can distinguish them in the spectrum of mass murder to death by negligence? I believe as it was not pre-meditated, but only through her gross stupidity, the sentence is adequate.

However, I truly believe her licence to drive should be taken away from her forever. I never understand why people guilty of animal abuse are banned from keeping animals for a set number of years, when clearly they are not deserving of this priviledge. Likewise, those who demonstrate that they cannot take the care and responsibility of driving a car, should not be allowed to be behind the wheel of one, especially if they kill someone. If you take the risk, you should suffer the consequences (unfortunately, most people do take risks, although usually to a lesser degree than this woman).

James, London, UK

Why not a lifetime driving ban? That would make people think before behaving so irresponsibly, and mean that they would never be able to forget their folly, just as the victim's family cannot.

Emson, Welwyn, Herts

jez... is this a debate about texting while driving or about the metric system in the UK?
All the signage on the roads are in miles here. A UK person would have no idea what a kilometre is. Thus the Times (an English newspaper) of course refers to miles.
I hope this helps.

Kai, Wales,

The sentencing in this example says EVERYTHING you need to know about the spiraling crime rate, reckless violence & complete lack of respect amongst a large number of our younger generation (try walking down your local high street this evening).

We are creating a social time bomb & are in dire need of a complete review of the criminal codes.

ebvKen, London,

Mobile phones are a menace in a car, and yet I see people using them all the time. The law must come down hard, VERY hard, on people using mobiles whilst driving.
I'm prepared to bet that, after the first half a dozen ₤2,000 fines for "using a mobile whilst driving", others would think twice about it.

Clive Britcher, Caracas, Venezuela

Persistent offenders who kill and show no remorse get less than a 19 year old girl who unintentionally and thoughtlessly made a terrible mistake. I am sure this girl and her family will suffer years off torment and while I agree the sentence is justified I feel that, in view off sentences handed down to others who have killed,this was excessive and imposed because of her background. I have made stupid decisions and escaped the consequences. It's part of life and is how most of us learn, although few choose to remember their own failings.

Terry Nicholas, Radstock, England

another life lost due to the IT WILL NEVER HAPPEN TO ME
thought most of us have ,everyday it happens to someone
if the young lady resisted the temptation to answer or leave
the phone alone ,my daughters do the same thing they cant
resist not to answer, put the handbag with phone in the boot
till the journey's end. the girl needs help not prision,she will
feel gilty all her life not just 4 years.

george william taylor, hull, uk

Begg should have been sentenced as if she had done the same damage to her victim using a hammer. That she would kill that particular woman was unpredictable; that she would run into something or someone through trying to drive whilst texting was entirely predictable.

Dr. Keith Anderson, Durham, England

I see it is mostly Americans who think this sentence is too light. This is not surprising - America has by far the most punitive penal system in the Western world.

England, on the other hand, has the most punitive penal system in Europe. We imprison a higher percentage of our population and for longer than any other country.

The interesting thing about crimes like this is that the severity is almost wholly dependent on the outcome - a death of a human. It can easily be observed that many motorists are still using mobile phones while driving. Very few of them are at risk of being stopped by the police. Unless, of course, they kill someone . . .

Stephen Jones, Bristol, UK

The law in the UK is slack when it comes to non hands free use of mobiles whilst driving. Perhaps if the law was changed to AUTOMATIC confiscation of the vehicle you are in at the time of the offence and COMPULSORY witnessing of same being crushed would make people think twice!!!

B Saunders, Leicester, GB

It is deplorable that a life has been taken by an irresponsible driver who has got an absurd sentence. The Newcastle Crown Court had an opportunity to send the right message to all offenders who dont take driving seriously, by imposing a commensurate sentence. It is a shame, that this opportunity has been lost.

Fredy, Hampshire, England

The government should spend more money highlighting the dangers of using phones while driving instead of wasting taxpayer's money on speed cameras

Dipak, London,

Its all done in mph in the UK.
Our road signs are in mph as is the larger numbers on our spedos.

This is too short a sentance for a person who took multiple poor decisions & lied to the police. She should have been tried as an adult, 19 is old enought to want to be treated like a responsible adult so take the same consequences.

Damian, Leamington spa,

People know the law so I have no sympathy with those who break it, especially those laws that prohibit the use of hand held mobiles whilst driving. Insurance companies use to charge taxi drivers an extra premium due to the increased risk of accidents caused by having two-way radios in their vehicle, I've often wondered why Mobiles do not fall into the same category.

Ps. For Sherry. We in the UK live in a kind of twin realities, the Government, BBC and EU reality and the Real world where us mere mortals live (most of the time) and us mere mortals think in feet, inches, ounces and pounds but we annoyingly have to convert when reading any official document or listening or watching the BBC. As an illustration we have severe flood in the UK at the moment, in the Real world on Sky, ITV and the newspapers we had Inches of rain whereas on the BBC we had Millimetres. Aren't you glad you don't live in the EU :-(

Ajer, Basingstoke, UK

She has her own guilt to live with for the rest of her life, that will go on far longer than the time she spends in jail.

CA, Manchester, UK

This is a terrible accident, brought on by a young, in-experienced driver acting too casually. She will probably spend two years in confinement, plus the rest of her life, reflecting on her recklesness. She will never be free.

Justin, Lincoln, England

I'm sorry for the young woman, of course I am. But drivers are still using their mobile phones, still endangering themselves and the public, and we need draconian punishments (like confiscating their phones and cars) to show that this is utterly unacceptable.

M. Williams, Oxford, UK

Id have given her two years in jail and banned from driving for life.

Chuck, Glasgow, Alba

This accident is a direct consequence of the unhealthy obsession of people in general with their mobile phones, in particular the constant need (amongst young people in particular) to send / receive endless text messages. Get a life.

Caroline, York,

Using a mobile phone while driving at 70mph on a rainy night is a criminal act in itself even if no-one dies as a result. The sentence is ridiculous. She knew what she was doing. She was supposed to have passed a driving test!
What a blatant contempt that girl showed for the law and other people's safety.

Andrew , London, England

Man might have escaped a custodial sentence? I thought men were more likely to be treated more severely by the criminal justice system?

Bob, Liverpool,

Many people who have deliberately commited violent crime receive sentences shorter than 4 years, or no custodial sentence at all. This young woman was appallingly irresponsible; others are probably just as bad but fortunately have not injured anyone. Which of us did not do something appallingly irresponsible when we were 19? I hope this young woman can re-build her life. A report this week highlighted the fact that we have a problem with young, inexperienced drivers, let us concentrate on trying to fix it.

Chris, Chelmsford,

No, MPH is what we use for listing speed in the UK. Just like we use inches, pints and pounds(lb). Although I think the rest of the EU would like us to use the metric system:-)

Sean, Watford, UK

"A man might well have escaped a custodial sentence for this."

What Rubbish! Get that chip off your shoulder.

I actually feel quite sorry for the girl. Yes someone has died, and yes its her fault. But we have all done something stupid at sometime that 'could' have led to someones death (ever broken the speed limit?). Its just that 99 times out of a hundred we get away with it, and chalk it up to experience. She just didnt get away with it. I hope her life isnt ruined too

Let him without sin etc etc

Gary, Manchester,

In UK these days, most young women drive too quickly, AND I've noticed lots of them texting at traffic lights. Technology should disable the use of mobiles whilst engine is running or vehicle moving.

John Fisher, Edinburgh, Scotland

How about a real 5years in an adult jail and 10 yr ban from driving after she gets out. Let her future empolyers decide her fate...however, if to bad, the State will have to support her, as in on the dole. So, a prison sentence and no driving for a total of 15 years, Plus a large fine.
gail, san antonio tx USA

gail saffell, canyon lake, texas USA

It is interesting to note on the posts contained below this article that so many Americans are so shocked at the sentence. It seems from this, and similar posts on comparable articles, that people from the US are particularly unforgiving. This is difficult to reconcile with the statistic that 50% of then go to church every week.

I lived in NY for a few years and remember being shocked to hear of a 17 year old in Michigan getting a 6 year sentence for smoking a single joint. I suppose that this mentality is why America has the highest prison population per 100,000 citizens of anywhere in the world (China's is just under half that according to the Economist).

America... it is not all about retribution... chill!

Nick, London, England

We only remove someone from society if they are a danger to that society. This girl, who apparently was reckless and negligent, is guilty of manslaughter not a premeditated murder. We now know she is a probable danger behind the wheel of a car, but she is not in any way a violent person. Any long term prison sentence in this case is just stupid. A possible life-time driving ban, a community service order and extensive compensation to the victim's family are all appropriate, along with (maybe) a short term prison sentence.

James, Newcastle,

It's MPH in Britain and KPH in the Republic of Ireland.

John Mayock, Southampton,

its simple.
we have the technology to prevent reception within the confines of the car, unless a handsfree set is used.
it should be made law and all manufacturers should comply.

Kambiz Shahri, Pretoria, South Africa, Gauteng

"Why does this list the speed in MPH? I thought KPH was how it was done in Britain?"

Long story. EU says: "go metric completely, including pints and miles!". Government says: "we're not politically suicidal so stick it".

Result: everything is metric in the UK except basically pints and miles. Ultimately the goal is for everything to be metric though. It's just that no government wants to be the one to have to do it.

Daniel, Wimbledon, UK

She should be going to prison not a young offenders centre and with regard to the driving ban should be for life.

Sue, Milton Keynes,

I am quite disturbed by some of the postings on this site. Unless somebody is a danger to society, locking them away for tens of years does not help anyone. The punishment should fit the crime. This girl should NEVER be allowed to drive again, have a short custodial sentence, and then years of community service. What is achieved by locking her up for ten years? One only needs to look at the USA to see that long sentences do not provide a deterrent. Their sentences are some of the longest in the civilised world, and conversely they have the highest rate of crime per capita than almost any other country in the world.

JB, London, UK

How does locking her up help? She's not a violent person and the chance of recidevism is virtually nil. A longer driving ban and some form of compensation to the victims family would be far more suitable, along with community service, lecturing teenagers about the dangers of driving irresponsibly.

This is a case of the sentence being a punishment which only serves to ruin the life of a young woman of previous good character who made a mistake. Any of you lt ever made a mistake?

Tom, Cardiff,

Four years is ridiculously low for killing a human. True, Ms Begg may be undoubtedly remorseful, but this acts as no deterent for other irresponsible teenagers to do the same. A 10-14 year sentence would have been more beneficial to society as more innocent lives could be saved by showing our youth that life is not a video game or TV show. When you plough into real cars at 70mph, on real roads, real humans die.

Jones, Toms River, New Jersey

Her sentance is laughable. Four years and possibly two
for taking a life!

Jerry Scroggin, Phoenix, Arizona/USA

Being pedantic, again, but while it's mph, when it comes to metric the abbreviation is km/h. Check your car speedo if you don't believe me. And be aware of upper and lower case; usually they are not interchangeable.

Andrew Milner, Yokohama, Kanagawa

Why does this list the speed in MPH? I thought KPH was how it was done in Britain?

Sherry, The States,