Careless drivers could face jail

[15 August 2008]

Laws will get tougher next week for those who cause death while driving due to preventable distractions.

A new offence of causing death by careless driving comes into effect in the UK next week, and means that causing death while driving and receiving text messages, eating, or pressing buttons on satellite navigation systems, could result in a jail sentence. To date, careless driving has only been punished with a fine, whether it results in death or not. Under the new laws, drivers could face up to five years in prison. The Ministry of Justice has also said that glancing at a map, drinking, tuning a radio, or putting on make up, could also be classified as an avoidable distraction.

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