Prison as punishment

[paulpablo]

Thanks everyone for the very interesting discussion

Here are some more of my thoughts, which aren't meant to come down on any particular side but just to analyse.

People use their phones while driving. A very large amount. I don't have the figures, but I've always heard it's significant. As I said, the current deterrent of prison is not working. I do appreciate campaigns have been made to try to address this, and they've probably had some success.

But let's say for the sake of argument we have 10% of drivers who have their ability to drive significantly impaired by using a phone (with their hands as opposed to hands free). Do they all deserve jail time already at this point? It's going to be a matter of chance which of these drivers happens to eventually kill someone as a result of this impairment. So it's down to chance who gets put in jail, while others receive a much lesser punishment when caught using their phone. Yet they're all driving with the same degree of danger, and it will be an accident in all cases.

I think personally I would deal with the situation pretty much the way it already is dealt with but perhaps a little harsher.  I'd impose a fine and points on the license for the first offense. A driving ban/suspension on the second offence and a prison sentence on the third offence.  Possibly an asbo type ankle tag could be an alternative punishment to the prison sentence.