Manslaughter by use of a motor vehicle is no less serious a crime than other forms of manslaughter. Where a heavy vehicle operator knowingly drives a vehicle with defective brakes and worn tyres for commercial gain, the element of pre-meditation and deliberate disregard for safety supports a sentence at the top of the range. General deterrence is an important consideration, and the sentence should plainly indicate that safety cannot be sacrificed for financial reasons. A head sentence of 10 years 8 months (NPP 8 years) was upheld for manslaughter involving a heavily laden prime mover with grossly defective brakes on the F3 Freeway.
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