Driving carelessly (without due care and attention), or without reasonable consideration for other road users, is an offence which can be committed in various ways. Examples include driving through red lights, tuning the radio or colliding with other road users.

Careless driving cases may only be tried in the Magistrates’ Court and, if convicted, attract a fine and points or disqualification. 

Dangerous driving is more serious, and is committed by either driving in a dangerous manner (that is, ‘far below’ what would be expected of a careful and competent driver) or driving a vehicle which is in a dangerous condition. This offence attracts obligatory disqualification for not less than 12 months and in serious cases a term of imprisonment of up to 2 years. 

Cars are powerful machines and even a momentary lapse in concentration can potentially result in very serious consequences. Causing death by careless or dangerous driving are serious, imprisonable offences. Such cases are often reported in the national media. 

Should you find yourself prosecuted for a road traffic offence, minor or serious, you can be assured of skilled representation by Sonn Macmillan Walker, experts in the field and always at the forefront of this developing area of law.