Careless Driving
Facing Prosecution For Careless Driving?
If you have been charged with careless or inconsiderate driving, like lane hopping, tailgating or undertaking, this can result in a conviction that could significantly impact your livelihood.
That is why it is vital to get expert legal advice and support without delay. All of these offences can result in a conviction which could affect your livelihood.
At Richard Silver Solicitors, our road traffic lawyers have over 25 years’ experience in successfully defending motorists – our knowledge and skills in this area are second to none. Contact us today for expert careless driving legal advice and representation.
You need Richard Silver. Call us on 0161 834 9494 to find out how we can help.
Case Study
“Our client was a Hertfordshire engineer. While driving in central London, he ran over a pedestrian’s foot. Two prosecution witnesses blamed our client and on paper the case against him seemed overwhelming.
The pedestrian claimed that he had already crossed halfway across the road when our client ran him over. Our client was certain that the accident was not his fault. He maintained that the pedestrian had stepped off the pavement into the road immediately in front him without looking.
Richard Silver was able to establish that the police had failed to interview potentially crucial witnesses who had seen what happened and whose evidence was missing. Richard obtained detailed plans of the road. Consequently, he was able to show that because the road was very narrow and the point of impact on the car was on the side nearest the kerb, the pedestrian’s claim that he was halfway across the road when struck was impossible.
As a result, our client was acquitted. The Court paid most of his legal costs. Had he been convicted, he would have received penalty points and a fine. Also, the price of his insurance would almost certainly have increased.”
See our testimonials and case studies.
Careless driving occurs where a person drives their car in a public place without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration of other road users.
Driving without due care and attention
This is a broad term that can include any driving that falls below the standard which is expected of a competent and careful driver. Actions that can lead to a charge for driving without due care and attention include:
- Emerging from a side road into the path of another vehicle
- Giving a misleading signal
- Undertaking
- Driving too close to the vehicle in front, known as “tailgating”
- Going through a red light
Driving without reasonable consideration for other road users
This offence is committed when your driving causes inconvenience to other people. This includes not just other drivers but pedestrians and any other road users. Actions which can lead to you being charged with this offence include:
- Using undipped headlights that dazzle
- Splashing pedestrians by driving through puddles
- Lane misuse to avoid queuing
- Staying unnecessarily in an overtaking lane, known as “middle lane hogging”
What are the penalties for careless driving?
In minor cases, drivers will be given a fixed penalty notice (FPN) if they are suspected of careless driving. An FPN usually means a £100 fine and three penalty points on the driver’s licence. In the lowest level careless driving situations, the authorities are likely to offer a Driver Improvement Course as an alternative to a fine and penalty points.
In serious cases, the driver may be required to appear before a court.
If the driver is found guilty, the maximum penalty is £5,000 and between three and nine penalty points on their licence. The court also has the discretion to disqualify the driver.
However, in cases of causing serious injury by careless driving the maximum penalty is two years’ imprisonment plus compulsory disqualification. For causing death by careless driving the maximum is five years in prison.
What is causing death by careless driving?
This offence occurs where a driver’s careless driving results in the death of another person. It is a particularly serious charge that can lead to a prison sentence and disqualification if you are convicted. It is imperative that you seek professional legal help and advice if you are charged with this offence. At Richard Silver Solicitors, we understand that this will be a difficult and upsetting time. We can provide quick, practical and reliable legal advice and representation to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Please see our dedicated page on Causing Death by Careless or Inconsiderate Driving for more information.
What is causing serious injury by careless driving?
This offence is where careless driving causes serious injury. It is a serious charge which can lead to imprisonment and disqualification if convicted. You should seek professional legal help and advice if you are charged with this offence. We can provide quick, practical and reliable legal advice and representation to help you achieve the best possible outcome.
Why instruct Richard Silver Solicitors?
We are leading experts in motoring law cases
Richard Silver, our senior solicitor, is a nationally recognised expert in the field of road traffic law and a founding member of the Association of Motor Offence Lawyers, a non-profit organisation recognising expertise in this field.
Alison Mafham, one of our criminal defence specialists, has particular experience in drink and drug driving cases, where she has uncovered evidence of police procedural failures. Alison has appeared on the BBC as a motoring law expert.
As a Richard Silver client, all of this expertise will be brought to bear in representing you.
We have helped people in all kinds of careless driving situations
With more than 25 years’ experience representing clients in a wide range of careless driving cases, there is very little we have not dealt with. We leave no stone unturned to ensure that, whatever the situation, our clients achieve the best possible outcome.
We will take your case seriously
We do not employ unqualified paralegals, so you can always be sure your case is being handled by someone who knows exactly what they are doing. You will be able to speak to a solicitor directly. Every member of our professional and approachable team understands how important a successful outcome is for you and those closest to you.
Contact our Careless Driving Solicitors Manchester, UK
Richard Silver Solicitors is based in Manchester and represents clients throughout the UK. We are committed to achieving the best outcome for our clients, as well as limiting any stress and long-term impact on their livelihoods. To find out more about what we can do for you, contact our team on 0161 834 9494 or use our online contact form and we will be in touch shortly.
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