Drivers are being warned against distractions such as receiving text messages, eating, and fiddling with satellite navigation systems, ahead of new tougher laws.

A new offence of causing death by careless driving comes into force across the UK this week.

It means motorists who kill while avoidably distracted could for the first time face prison.

Historically, careless driving has only been punishable with a fine, whatever the consequences.

Careless distractions?

The new offence means UK motorists, who kill after allowing themselves to lose concentration, can be imprisoned for up to five years.

So what sort of distractions might count against a driver who causes a fatal crash?

The Ministry of Justice gives these examples: reading a text message, glancing at a map, eating, drinking, tuning a radio, putting on make up.

Last year the number of people killed fell below 3,000 for the first time since records began in 1926. But, still, eight people die on the roads each day.

Alongside careless drivers, the new laws will also penalise uninsured, disqualified and unlicensed motorists who kill.

According to Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick, it is hoped the number of deaths will be reduced even further.

"The government is committed to continually improving safety on Britain's roads," he said.

"Under the Road Safety Act we have already brought in tougher penalties for drivers who use hand-held mobile phones at the wheel and the introduction of these new offences today is the latest step to tackle bad driving and further improve safety on our roads."

To the distress of many families of victims, fatal crashes caused by careless driving have tended to lead to penalties no more severe than a fine.

Only offences where the higher threshold of dangerous driving can be applied have carried a potential prison sentence.

But in the future careless driving in the UK could lead to prison too.

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