Is Modern Technology Costing Lives?

It was only a decade ago when your average driver would only have the distraction of the radio or tape recorder whilst driving.

The average driver now has a multitude of gimmicks and gadgets, from the handsfree telephone to the more recent sat nav. Despite the credit crunch, many cars are now fitted with an array of the latest gadgets.

Whilst there has been a ban on using mobile phones whilst driving, there is an increase in the use of other gadgets which can be just as distracting when driving.

Distraction driving is one of the major causes of crashes, according to Drivesafe. In the past two years, it has been identified in 406 road accidents, which have led to 25 people being killed or badly injured.

Under new laws which came into force during August 2008, motorists who kill while ‘avoidably distracted’ can be charged with a new offence of causing death by careless driving and jailed for up to five years. That can include people using mobile phones or sat navs, eating or drinking, adjusting car stereos or applying make-up at the time of a fatal crash.

Whilst it is not against the law to eat or drink at the wheel, a fine can be imposed if the police believe that your actions impaired your driving.

The new ‘death by careless driving’ offence closes a loophole in existing laws allowing careless or distracted drivers who kill to walk away with a £5,000 fine and licence points.

Manchester has recently launched a campaign to target these drivers who continue to run the risk. Cameras are to target motorists who are eating if their driving appears erratic. These people can be brought before the courts or sent on a driver improvement course. Drivers caught on a mobile phone can get a fixed penalty fine and three points on their licence. The footage can also be used to support prosecutions against them if they crash and are charged with an offence.

The government believes 150 drivers will be jailed every year under the new charge.

Linder Myers LLP houses a specialist personal injury team able to deal with all types of personal injury matters including road traffic accidents. Injuries caused in road traffic accidents range from the minor soft tissue injury to fatalities.

4 SEPTEMBER 2008

For further information on Linder Myers expertise in dealing with the issues raised in this article please contact:

JILL ENTWISTLE
PERSONAL INJURY DEPT
0161 837 6839
jill.entwistle@lindermyers.co.uk