A 19-YEAR-OLD girl has today been jailed for four years after she admitted texting a friend moments before she caused a fatal road accident.

Rachel Begg, who had previously pleaded guilty to causing causing death by dangerous driving, used her phone nine times in a 15-minute journey before smashing into 64-year-old Maureen Waites's hatchback.

The popular hairdresser, from Wingate, County Durham, was on her way to pick up her sister from Newcastle Airport in November last year when she was killed.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how Begg had been driving home to Whinbank, Ponteland, Northumberland, near the airport, when she crashed on the A696 dual-carriageway at about 11.20pm on a rainy night.

Robert Woodcock, prosecuting, said: ''As she (Begg) was travelling north, and at about 65-70mph according to her, she was writing and sending text messages.

''Her eyes cannot have been on the road ahead, for if they had been, she would have seen Mrs Waites.

She was also banned from driving for five years and ordered to take an extended re-test.

Speaking after the hearing, Sergeant Ian Dey with Motor Patrols, Newcastle Area Command, said: " This crash has devastated the lives of two families and will have a major impact on them for the rest of their lives.

"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 offender's institution.

"Research has proven that using a mobile telephone while driving is just as bad as someone drinking and driving.

"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?

" Mobile phones are a relatively new technology and it's only recently that the dangers of using them while driving has come to the fore."

"Motorists should remember that police carry out enquiries to see if any mobile was in use prior to a serious or fatal crash."

Since February 27, using a mobile phone while driving has been an endorsable offence with motorists not only facing a higher fine of £60 but also three points on their licence.

* See The Northern Echo tomorrow for the full story