Last updated 11:40, Monday, 30 June 2008

MOTORISTS who kill through carelessness will face jail sentences for the first time this year.

Question: Eric Martlew

Carlisle MP Eric Martlew asked Parliament this month when the new offence of causing death by careless driving would come into force.

Maria Eagle, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Ministry of Justice, said: “We intend to implement the section 20 offence of causing death by careless driving following the publication of sentencing guidelines.

“We anticipate that the guidelines will be published before the summer recess and we are currently considering possible implementation dates.”

The usual penalty is a period of disqualification from driving plus a fine.

The new offence will mean the possibility of up to three years in prison for the most serious cases.

Another new offence to come into effect at the same time, causing death by driving while unlicensed, disqualified or uninsured, will carry a maximum jail sentence of two years.