What is Careless Driving?
21/05/2021
Careless Driving and or driving without reasonable consideration amounts to the standard of driving has fallen below that of a careful and competent driver or that you did not show reasonable consideration for other drivers or pedestrians.
Examples of these could be one of the following.
- Driving into the back of a car at a roundabout/tailback on the motorway
- Reading a map whilst driving.
- Bumping into a parked vehicle.
- Drinking whilst driving.
- Eating whilst driving
- Lighting a cigarette
- Being dazzled by the sun
- Coming out of a side junction into the path of another vehicle.
- Scraping another car in a car park.
- A minor bump or shunt with another vehicle.
- Using a satellite navigation system or map whilst driving.
- Hogging the middle or outside lane on the motorway.
Careless driving or driving without due care and attention or Driving without reasonable consideration carries a penalty of between 3 – 9 points and a fine of up to £2500.
You could get a fixed penalty ticket. These are restricted to offences which are only observed by police officers and there are no victims, no collisions and no public complaint. It covers but is not restricted to the following types of driving.
- Lower level aggressive and inconsiderate driving where others are not unduly affected
- Driving too close to the vehicle in front
- Failing to give way at a junction causing no evasive action by another driver
- Overtaking and forcing into a queue of traffic
- Using the wrong lane on a roundabout
- Ignoring a lane closed sign and forcing into a queue of traffic
- Poor lane discipline i.e. remaining in lane two or three when lane one is empty
- Inappropriate speed i.e. too slow
- Wheel spins
- Handbrake turns
The fixed penalty for a careless driving offence is £100 and 3 points
You may think you are guilty of the offence and wish to enter a plea of guilty either in writing or in person, but before you its always advisable to get some legal advice and with some specialist road traffic defence lawyers you do receive the first initial consultation FREE, so its always advisable to get advice, it may save you penalties you do not deserve.
Fighting a careless driving charge would mean you have to have a trial in the Magistrates court, this can be extremely daunting for many and may involve eyewitness accounts of members of the public who’s credibility could be put into doubt much more that the police. On some occasions, depending on the circumstance, expert evidence is required to prove that you were not responsible or that you could not have avoided a collision.
Specialist careless driving solicitors can help by either write a guilty plea and mitigation letter for you or attend court with you especially if you are at risk of a disqualification.
These are some of the actions that they could offer;
- Reviewing the strength of the prosecution’s case against you
- Finding the weaknesses in the prosecution case
- Collating evidence in your defence
- Attacking the prosecution case relentlessly on your behalf
- Taking the pressure and anxiety off you
- Being there to answer all your question.
- Provide specialist representation in court.
If the evidence is so inconsistent, they can often write representations to the prosecution to discontinue the case against you.
Specialist Road Traffic Defence Solicitors like Auriga-Advocates Ltd have over 30 years’ experience in working with the CPS and Police on road traffic offences, so its worth taking FREE advice to help you understand what your options are and are bound to offer the best course of action to take to Defend Your Licence.
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