Motorists who cause fatal accidents when they are using their mobile phones should expect to serve lengthy prison sentences, under new guidelines issued by the Sentencing Guidelines Council. Under these new proposals, there will be a jail term of seven years for fatal accidents caused whilst text-messaging, with a maximum of 14 years for those who already have a poor driving record, or who fail to stop after the accident.
From August 4 there will also be two new criminal offences of Causing Death by Careless Driving and Causing Death by Driving while Unlicensed, Disqualified or Uninsured. These new offences were introduced by the Road Safety Act 2006, and they will come into force on the same day as the new sentencing guidelines.
The Sentencing Guidelines Council said it was sending out a “clear message” about the seriousness of fatal accidents, and that those who cause them should expect lengthy custodial sentences. In the words of Chief Constable Peter Neyroud, one of the SGC panel members, “The new offence of causing death by careless driving recognises the enormous level of harm caused by the offence.”
At Camps Solicitors, we understand the devastating impact that a fatal accident can have for the family of the victim. If you would like more information about making a claim for compensation if a family member has been killed in a fatal road traffic accident, including an accident caused by a motorist who was using a mobile phone, then contact Camps Solicitors today on Freephone for a free initial consultation.
Call 0800 092 8586
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