Motorists who kill while avoidably distracted at the wheel by, for example, eating, drinking, using a mobile phone or applying make-up now face up to 5 years in prison, under new ;laws brought into force on the 18th August 2008 by the implementation of sections 20,21 and 30 of The Road Traffic Act 2006.
Uninsured, disqualified or drivers without a licence who kill by driving also face up to 5 years for causing death by dangerous driving and up to 2 years for causing death while driving.
Prior to the new laws, the maximum penalty for causing death by careless, uninsured or unlicensed driving was a maximum £5000 fine and penalty licence points.