KEY POINTS:
LONDON - A 19-year-old woman who crashed her car while sending text messages, killing another woman, has been sentenced to four years in jail.
Rachel Begg, of Ponteland, admitted sending a text from her mobile phone shortly before the accident on the A696 near Newcastle last November.
Grandmother Maureen Waites, 64, from Durham, was driving to the airport to pick up relatives when Begg crashed into her. She died from her injuries.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Begg had used her phone nine times during a 15-minute journey.
She pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to a charge of death by dangerous driving and was sentenced to four years in a young offenders' institute. She was also banned from driving for five years.
Police Sergeant Ian Dey said: "One family has lost a much loved wife, mother and grandmother the other has to face the consequences of a young woman spending four years in a young offenders' institution.
"Using your mobile while driving is inexcusable and those who do so are simply not appreciating the consequences of their actions.
"Simply not answering your phone prevents such tragedies from happening and you have to think is any call or text worth putting lives at risk?"
Since February 27, using a mobile phone while driving has been an endorsable offence, with motorists facing a fine of STG60 ($NZ157.15) and three points on their licence.
- REUTERS
