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New driving laws to punish UK drivers for sending SMS
New careless driving laws come into force in the United Kingdom on Monday, which could impose jail time on drivers who kill while eating, sending SMS or putting on make-up.
- Agencies
- Published: 07:57 August 18, 2008
London: New careless driving laws come into force in the United Kingdom on Monday, which could impose jail time on drivers who kill while eating, sending SMS or putting on make-up.
Justice Minister Maria Eagle said courts will also have greater powers to punish motorists who are disqualified or have no insurance or licence.
"Drivers who kill through carelessness will no longer be able to walk away from court with just a fine," Eagle said in a statement. "A moment's distraction can make the difference between life and death."
Offences will carry prison terms of up to five years for causing death by careless driving and up to two years for causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured.
If a court rules that a motorist was guilty of a "gross avoidable distraction", they could be charged with the more serious offence of causing death by dangerous driving, which carries a jail term of up to 14 years.
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