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Jail for drivers using mobile phones

Fri, 15 Dec 2006

Motorists who use their mobile phones behind the wheel could face jail, under new proposals.

A wide range of offences including using a hand-held mobiles on the move, running a red light, tailgating, tuning the car stereo, reading a map or applying make-up while driving may also be reclassified as serious offences for which the driver can be jailed or fined.

Ken MacDonald, QC, the Director of Public Prosecutions, said: "We have strong feelings that public views have moved along at a pace in recent years and we want to make sure our policies reflect public views."

At present motorists who kill are prosecuted for dangerous driving, which carries a two-year maximum prison sentence.

Ken MacDonald said: "The test is if you were standing on the pavement and saw something would you think ‘That’s bloody dangerous’?"

Road safety charity Brake welcomed the proposals. A spokeswoman said, "All too often killer drivers get off with a low charge and sentence even though they have driven recklessly and blatantly put other road users’ lives at risk.

"We want tougher charges that will stick in court and appropriate sentences that will send out the message that dangerous driving will not be tolerated."
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