Charged with careless driving offence?

Careless driving is an offence that upon conviction carries potentially life-changing penalties. These include points on your licence, substantial fines and a discretionary disqualification.

Our Motoring Offences team have handled many cases where drivers have been accused of careless driving and we know what needs to be done to ensure you stay on the road.

To speak to a careless driving offence solicitor about allegations of careless driving, contact us on 07971 520407 or fill in the enquiry form on this page and we will get back to you promptly.

If you require immediate assistance, please call us on our 24/7 mobile number on 07971 520407.

For more information on our fees, please view our up-to-date schedule of costs.

Careless driving offences

Our services - careless driving defence

Our driving offence team is dedicated to providing you with a strong defence against accusations of careless driving.

We will investigate the prosecution’s claims that you were driving below the required standard of competent drivers, gather evidence and provide representation throughout proceedings, ensuring you have access to legal expertise and guidance as and when you require it. If necessary we will commission an expert’s report to assist your case.

If there are any circumstances which resulted in you driving in the manner alleged, we can present these to show that your behaviour was not in your your control. Examples include an unknown fault with your vehicle, a life-threatening situation or an unknown medical condition that affected your driving.

Careless driving offences

What classes as careless driving or driving without due care and attention?

You can be accused of careless driving (or driving without due care and attention) when the police have evidence that your driving fell below the standard expected of a reasonable and competent driver. Both your driving ability and conduct in a vehicle can result in a conviction.

Common examples of careless driving we have seen include:

Tailgating
Not giving way at a junction
Overtaking in circumstances where you should not
Using the wrong lane at a roundabout
Lane hogging
Inappropriate speed
Eating, drinking or smoking while driving
Driving through a red light

Careless driving offences

Careless driving penalties

A fixed penalty notice for driving without due care and attention can be offered by the police for lower level offences. This amounts to:

A financial penalty of £100
Three penalty points

A fixed penalty notice will not be applied in all cases of careless driving.

Can I get banned from driving for a careless driving offence?

For more serious cases you will receive either a Single Justice Procedure Notice (SJPN) or you will be summoned to court. Under the new SJPN procedure, your case is still dealt with at court but the initial hearing is by a single Magistrate sitting alone in his or her office rather than in open court. Neither you nor the prosecutor or any solicitor is present. Your case will be dealt with on the papers and you can respond to the SJPN online.

It is still important to seek legal advice under the SJPN procedure as a properly worded submission by a specialist road traffic defence solicitor can ensure you receive the best possible outcome.

Under the SJPN procedure or if you are summoned, harsher penalties may be given, including an unlimited fine together with three to nine penalty points or a discretionary driving ban.

If somebody dies because of your careless driving, your case could go to the Crown Court where if convicted you will face up to five years’ imprisonment, a mandatory disqualification and extended retest, and an unlimited fine.

If you have been accused of careless driving, it is vital that you get in touch with a careless driving offence solicitor as soon as possible so that they can help you to build a case for your defence.

Careless Driving Offence Lawyers

Charged with careless driving offence?

How can we help? Contact us today to discuss your requirements.

Our services - careless driving defence

What classes as careless driving or driving without due care and attention?

Careless driving penalties

Can I get banned from driving for a careless driving offence?

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