Careless & Dangerous Driving

Careless & Dangerous Driving

 

Careless Driving &  Dangerous Driving: Understanding the Distinction

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There can often be some confusion around the difference between careless driving and dangerous driving in the UK and the penalties that both offences can attract.

Careless Driving is when a driver’s behaviour slips below the reasonable standards of a competent and more over responsible driver on British roads.

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If you were accused of Dangerous Driving, it is much more serious and carries higher and much harsher penalties. Dangerous Driving means your driving has put other road users at risk and has slipped far below the reasonable standards of a competent UK driver.

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Careless Driving

 

Careless driving refers to driving that falls below the standard expected of a competent and cautious driver. This can involve actions like:

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• Tailgating

• Overtaking on the inside

• Running red lights,

• Driving while distracted

• Sudden braking.

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When drivers are deemed to be lacking due care and attention or not considering other road users adequately, they can be charged with careless driving.

Penalties

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Penalties traditionally involved a £100 fine and three penalty points, unless the offence is deemed more serious or the driver is deemed to have to many points on their licence. 

 

In such cases, the police often prosecute and the matter will there after go to court, potentially resulting in up to nine penalty points, a fine up to £5,000, and even a discretionary disqualification from driving.

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On the 1st of July 2025 tough new sentencing guidelines came into force.

Under the new guidelines, penalties for “careless driving” - officially known as driving without due care and attention - have been considerably tightened.

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Short driving bans up to 56 days are now strongly encouraged for mid-range offences – what used to earn penalty points might now get you nearly two months off the road. Plus, Hefty fines reaching 250% of a person’s weekly income for a single offence.

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While the maximum sentence has not increased, there is now a greater focus on aggravating factors, such as the harm caused by the offence. It means that more severe punishments are likely to be handed out more regularly.

 

Dangerous Driving

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Dangerous driving goes beyond mere carelessness. It involves driving that falls far below the standard of a competent and cautious driver, with the crucial distinction is obviously the sue of the word ‘far.’

 

Examples of dangerous driving include:

 

• Racing

• Aggressive driving

• Dangerous overtaking

• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs

• Driving despite knowing one is unfit

• Operating a vehicle known to be defective

 

It's important to note that a party does not necessarily need to causing an accident or harming others to be charged with dangerous driving.

 

Penalties

 

The penalties for dangerous driving are considerably more severe than careless driving and include a minimum mandatory minimum 12-month disqualification.

 

You might expect to face any of the following penalties if you were sentenced for Dangerous Driving:

 

• Unlimited fines

• Three to eleven points on your license

• Two-year ban (minimum)

• Compulsory retest

• Imprisonment

 

If you find yourself facing charges of either careless or dangerous driving, the police or Crown Prosecution Service will determine the appropriate charge. In such situations, seeking legal advice is strongly recommended.

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Joe Rawlings specialises in motoring law and can offer guidance on the best course of action. Depending on the circumstances, negotiating the charge down to careless driving might be advisable.

 

Alternatively, if there were mitigating factors that explain the offence, a case of special reasons might be presented.

 

For personalised advice regarding charges of careless or dangerous driving, reaching out to Joe Rawlings is advisable. He can provide insights tailored to your situation.