Careless and Dangerous Driving: Fines and Sentences

Careless and dangerous driving are both serious motoring offences. There are major differences between both of these offences, and depending on the severity of the offence both can result in disqualification.

Differences between Careless and Dangerous Driving

Careless driving is driving that falls below the standard required and expected of a competent driver. In most cases the driver may not even realise they are driving carelessly and not paying due care and attention to other road users. Dangerous driving is one of the most serious driving offences and will usually come with a much more severe sentence than careless driving. A dangerous driver would show levels of competency far below that expected of a careful driver. Causing death by dangerous driving would be the most serious offence and will generally always result in a prison sentence.

Common Examples of Careless Driving

Although careless driving may not actually be obvious to the driver it will usually be obvious to other motorists and the police. Examples of careless driving can include colliding with a stationary car, attempting a U-turn on a busy road and turning right without giving way to another vehicle. The act of careless driving will usually be accompanied by another offence such as speeding. The offence of careless driving can be committed on public roads as well as public places such as a car park.

Fines and Sentences for Careless Driving

Careless driving will usually result in between three to nine penalty points. Disqualifications and fines can also be applied depending on the seriousness of the offence and the driver’s history and previous penalty points. Failing to stop and report if an accident was the result of careless driving is a serious motoring offence. Failing to Stop and Report can result in five to ten penalty points, disqualification, and a fine. Failing to Stop and Report after an accident can be a serious enough offence to warrant a prison sentence.

Common Examples of Dangerous Driving

Dangerous driving is a very serious offence and the term can cover many different situations. Common examples of dangerous driving will include driving too fast on a busy road, driving on the wrong side of the road, driving with faulty brakes and driving with unsecured loads. If the police are charging that the driver’s vehicle is in a dangerous condition then they must prove that the driver was aware of this. This can also be proven if the dangerous condition of the vehicle would have been apparent to a competent driver.

Fines and Sentences for Dangerous Driving

There are a number of different scenarios that will determine the sentences applied to a motorist found guilty of dangerous driving. But if found guilty the following sentences may be applied:

• Disqualified from driving for one year
• A fine of up to £5000 or a six months prison sentence
• Three to eleven penalty points
• The offender may be required to retake the driving test
• Serious offences may result in a prison sentence of up to two years or an unlimited fine
• Sentences of community service may also be applied in England and Wales
• These sentences, fines and penalty points may be reduced if there are special reasons or mitigating factors

Serious Dangerous Driving Offences

Although dangerous driving itself is a serious offence there may be other circumstances that would make the court consider the offence more serious. These circumstances can include that the driver was under the influence of drugs and alcohol, and/or the driver was racing at excessive speeds. Previous motoring offences such as a history of bad driving or previous convictions for drink driving will also be viewed seriously by the courts. If the driver does show serious remorse, has a clean driving licence and pleads guilty to the offence the court may be more lenient.

Motoring offences such as careless, reckless and dangerous driving are taken very seriously by the police and the courts. These offences place other drivers and members of the public at risk. Dangerous driving is a serious offence that can be dealt with by the Crown Court rather than a Magistrates Court. Any motorist who has been charged with any of these offences should seek legal representation and advice from a solicitor or lawyer.

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