Jail sentences are now more likely to be issued against drivers who cause a road death by looking at a mobile phone, sat nav or map while on the move.
Drivers who cause a road death by using a mobile phone, adjusting a sat nav unit or glancing at a map while on the move are now more likely to be jailed.
The Sentencing Guidelines Council has issued new guidelines to judges and magistrates designed to “give a clear message that driving offences that result in death are serious offences and should receive appropriate sentences.”
Mobile phone use is being treated particularly seriously, with the SGC stating that reading or composing text messages over a period of time whilst at the wheel leading to a road death should serve up to seven years in prison.
Chairman of the council, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, said: “Sentencing in cases where death results from the misuse of a car on the road are among the most difficult for judges and magistrates.
“The harm is the greatest anyone can inflict – the death of a victim - but the level of culpability can range from a flagrant disregard of the safety of other road users to a terrible moment of inattention. This guideline is designed to support sentencers in making the very difficult decisions that face them in these cases.”