New Driving Offences Cover Mobile Phones

On 18 August, two new driving offences came into force.

These are causing death by careless driving and causing death by driving while unlicensed, uninsured or disqualified. The effect of the changes is to increase the likely penalty for persons convicted of causing such accidents.

In particular, any driver causing  an accident leading to death and found to have been using a mobile phone or  texting on a mobile, eating, drinking or applying make-up can expect a  heavy penalty. The legislation increases the maximum sentences to five years for the careless driving offence and two years for driving while unlicensed.

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