Under the legislation for the new offence, causing death by careless driving, motorists who kill while distracted could be imprisoned for up to five years. Prolonged use of a mobile phone to send and read texts could carry a sentence of up to seven years.
Careless drivers now face jail
Drivers found guilty of causing death while texting on their mobile phones, reading a map, fiddling with a sat nav or eating/drinking at the wheel now face a possible jail sentence under laws that came into force on 18 August. The Sentencing Guidelines Council announced the changes to law in July this year.
