New careless driving laws which came into force on 18 August, could mean motorists who kill whilst 'avoidably distracted' at the wheel facing prison.
Courts will now be allowed to imprison drivers who cause deaths by not paying due care to the road, or to other road users.
Avoidable distractions which courts will consider when senticing motorists who have killed include:
- Using a mobile phone (calling or texting)
- Drinking and eating
- Applying make-up
- Anything else which takes their attention away from the road and which a court judges to have been an avoidable distraction.
Justice Minister Maria Eagle said: "Drivers who kill through carelessness will no longer be able to walk away from court with just a fine. "
The introduction of this legislation should quite rightly give everyone the message that driving is a hazardous activity that requires total concentration.
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