The Council also sought to code the type of vehicle driven by the offender. The vehicle categories included: 4WD/SUV; passenger vehicle; truck/semi-trailer/heavy goods vehicle; motorcycle; and uncertain or not stated. Stolen vehicles The Council coded for the circumstance where the principal vehicle driven by the offender was stolen. However, this did not necessarily mean that the offender stole the vehicle. Professional drivers The Council coded for the circumstance where an offender’s usual occupation involved driving a vehicle, such as taxi drivers, truck drivers, and bus drivers. This factor included where the offender was not working at the time of the offending (such as a taxi driver driving a personal vehicle outside working hours). This analysis sought to examine whether the consideration of an increased duty of care by a professional driver was reflected in sentencing outcomes. Factors relating to victims In addition to the number, gender, and age of victims, the Council coded for location of the victim, including whether the victim was a: cyclist; motorcyclist; pedestrian/bystander; passenger in principal vehicle; occupant of other vehicle; or uncertain or not stated. Whether the victim was wearing a seatbelt (where relevant) was also coded.
The Council also sought to code the type of vehicle driven by the offender. The vehicle categories included: 4WD/SUV; passenger vehicle; truck/semi-trailer/heavy goods vehicle; motorcycle; and uncertain or not stated. Stolen vehicles The Council coded for the circumstance where the principal vehicle driven by the offender was stolen. However, this did not necessarily mean that the offender stole the vehicle. Professional drivers The Council coded for the circumstance where an offender’s usual occupation involved driving a vehicle, such as taxi drivers, truck drivers, and bus drivers. This factor included where the offender was not working at the time of the offending (such as a taxi driver driving a personal vehicle outside working hours). This analysis sought to examine whether the consideration of an increased duty of care by a professional driver was reflected in sentencing outcomes. Factors relating to victims In addition to the number, gender, and age of victims, the Council coded for location of the victim, including whether the victim was a: cyclist; motorcyclist; pedestrian/bystander; passenger in principal vehicle; occupant of other vehicle; or uncertain or not stated. Whether the victim was wearing a seatbelt (where relevant) was also coded.