A total effective sentence of 7 years for aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death (5 years 6 months) and grievous bodily harm (1 year 6 months) arising from a single incident of driving at over 171 km/h was held to infringe the totality principle, notwithstanding the extreme objective seriousness of the offending. The case confirms that sentences for aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death under s 59(1)(b) of the Road Traffic Act 1974 (WA) are comparable to motor vehicle manslaughter sentences given the equivalent 20-year maximum penalty. Fast-track guilty pleas ordinarily attract a 20-35% discount.
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