Careless & Dangerous Driving
Facing Prosecution For Careless or Dangerous Driving?
If you’ve been charged with a careless or inconsiderate driving offence like going through a red light, tailgating, or undertaking, then you may be facing prosecution for a CD10 driving offence. Alternatively, you might be dealing with a dangerous driving court case for racing offences, driving aggressively or other inappropriate road behaviour.
All of these offences can result in a conviction which could affect your livelihood.
To help you fight a careless or dangerous driving case, you need a solicitor with over 25 years’ experience in successfully defending motorists who have been charged with driving offences.
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.
Types of Careless and Dangerous Driving Offences
Sometimes known as ‘driving without due care and attention,’ careless driving can be classified in a number of different ways, at the discretion of the police and prosecution. It’s often described as a standard of driving which falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver.
Some examples 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 – “tailgating”
- Going through a red light
You can also be charged for driving without reasonable consideration for others, in circumstances like:
- Using undipped headlights which dazzle
- Splashing pedestrians by driving through puddles
- Lane misuse to avoid queuing
- Unnecessarily remaining in an overtaking lane – “middle lane hogging”
If you are charged specifically with a dangerous driving offence, you may have been accused of:
- Racing
- Driving aggressively
- Driving much too close to the vehicle in front
- Inappropriate overtaking or cutting in
- Driving whilst reading a map or newspaper
- Driving when knowingly suffering from a medical condition which impairs driving skills
How A Careless Or Dangerous Driving Offence Can Affect You
There are a wide variety of charges and sentences associated with careless and dangerous driving, so it’s best to speak with an expert motoring solicitor to find out what the consequences might be for you.
We’ve had countless years of experience in dealing with these types of cases, and can help advise you on the best possible defence and outcome from a careless or dangerous driving situation.
In the least serious cases, the police may offer a Driver Improvement Course. They can also offer a Fixed Penalty of three points and £100. Both avoid the need to go to court and the course does not result in penalty points.
However, careless and inconsiderate driving can result in both steeper fines and points on your driving license. If those penalty points tot up, you could be facing disqualification from driving.
And if you’re charged with dangerous driving, the maximum penalty is 2 years imprisonment. In most cases there is also a minimum 12 months disqualification, followed by a compulsory extended re-test.
Causing Death By Dangerous Driving
In the most extreme cases, you may be facing a charge of causing death by dangerous, careless or inconsiderate driving. You could also be liable for causing serious injury by dangerous driving too.
As these offences carry much heavier penalties than those above, it’s absolutely vital you get in touch with an experienced motoring offences solicitor like Richard Silver. Conviction in these cases can result in up to 14 years in prison, as well as consequences which can severely affect your livelihood.
We have considerable experience in handling these cases, with thorough planning, preparation and carefully considered advice. It’s likely that expert evidence such as accident reconstruction, scale plans, and speed calculations will be required.
We know how much is at stake, and we know how to get the best results for you. Contact us today for our expert help and guidance.
Contact Richard Silver Today To Find Out How We Can Help
If you want to avoid any unnecessary fines, penalty points or subsequent disqualifications from driving, then you need to contact Richard Silver and have an expert motoring solicitor help you prevent your licence from being at risk.
We’ll sift through all the available evidence, check the case procedures, and ensure you have the best possible defence.
Get in touch with us today on FREEPHONE 0161 834 9494.
For more information about our Fixed Fee Pricing for Motoring Cases please click here.