Hang Up and Drive? UK

People who use mobile phones while driving could face up to two years in prison under new guidelines being published by prosecutors.

The measures being published by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) could also see motorists in England and Wales who cause death on the roads facing life imprisonment.

Detailed guidance on the harsher measures, which were announced earlier this year, telling prosecutors when to bring manslaughter charges, will be outlined in the policy document.

They mean the very worst cases of death by dangerous driving could instead be prosecuted as manslaughter, which carries a maximum life sentence.

Using a mobile phone, sat-nav or an MP3 player while at the wheel will be treated as dangerous driving instead of careless driving, with the chance of up to two years in prison.

Dangerous driving comes with a two-year maximum prison sentence, whereas careless driving can only be dealt with by a community order or a fine.

UK Press