Today – Monday 18 August 2008 – sees the introduction of tough new prison sentences to crack down on careless UK motorists who continue to flout laws aimed at eliminating the avoidable use of mobile phones and satellite navigation whilst driving.

The stark reality of a potential five year stretch in prison comes into force as the ultimate deterrent for British motorists who choose not to obey the blunt message – don’t drive distracted - delivered at the behest of the government’s Ministry for Justice, headed up by ex Home Secretary, Jack Straw.

For those that defy the new legislation – being dubbed ‘Careless Driving' - courts, for the first time, will be given the rights to lock up drivers who have been proven by the prosecution not to have paid enough due care and attention to the road, or to other road users, that's said to have led directly to - and resulted in - potentially avoidable fatalities.

In the past – and much to the chagrin of victim’s families and penal reform pressure groups – drivers convicted of having caused deaths whilst using their mobile phones or eating – have in many cases literally walked away from court with just a fine – a maximum of £5,000 at most - and points on their driver’s license.

Avoidable distractions that courts will be given the rights to act upon include;

Using a mobile phone, for either calling or texting.

Programming satellite navigation whilst driving.

Eating and drinking.

The application of make-up.

And anything else that’s deemed to have removed the driver’s attention away from the road in the Judge’s estimation.

Chris Barker