GEOFF WHITE
SPECIALIST CRIMINAL DEFENCE SOLICITORS
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Driving without due care and attention / Careless driving

Driving without due care and attention is a serious offence, however it is less serious than Dangerous Driving.

Legally, it is defined as:

1. Your driving fell below the standard expected of a competent driver
or
2. You did not show reasonable consideration for other road users (vehicles or pedestrians)

Prosecutions for driving without due care and attention are often brought by the Police following involvement in an accident. In certain cases, the fact that an accident was caused will be used as the basis for the prosecution. In these cases the Police will state that due to an accident being caused it is therefore self evident that the standard of driving was below the expected level.

English law does not explicitly state what constitutes careless driving, but some examples of behaviour that has been used in prosecutions include:

  • Tailgating another vehicle
  • Not paying enough attention to the road; this may be because you were distracted (using a mobile phone, satellite navigation, stereo, etc)
  • Pulling out of a side junction into the path of another vehicle
  • Driving too fast for the road conditions
  • Causing an accident

The penalty for careless driving is usually a fine and penalty points (between 3 and 9), or disqualification from driving for a period of time.

If you are arrested or charged with driving without due care and attention please contact us at your earliest opportunity.

Legal Advice and assistance in a Police Station is free of charge. We recommend that you say nothing to the Police until you have spoken directly with us.

We have a 24-hour emergency advice line so that we can respond immediately to your situation. Our 24 hour number is 07850 012 366.

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