What is careless driving?

For drivers, this seems a vague term that can often get confused with the term "dangerous driving" which is more severe. Drivers may often find themselves wondering "what is careless driving?" and this article hopes to answer your questions.

The careless driving offence actually covers a multitude of things. Usually, for someone to be accused of careless driving, it means that the driving standard has fallen below what"s expected of a careful driver.

What is careless driving and why was I charged with it?

Sometimes it"s hard to know what is careless driving and whether you are guilty of this offence. If you"ve been involved in a road accident where no serious injuries have resulted, you may be charged with careless driving. According to the Road Traffic Act, careless drivers are those who drive without consideration for other people on the road or in the vicinity.

The fact that the road collision occurred will often be used as evidence by the prosecutor that careless driving has occurred.

Several things can be classed as careless driving e.g. being too close to the other vehicle before the collision occurred, ignoring a red light, using a phone while driving or overtaking while on the inside lane.

The Highway Code is often used as a way to determine what is careless driving and whether the driver should be charged with this offence. If you do everything by the book and comply with all the stated rules, you should never be charged with this offence.

What is careless driving and how can it affect you?

If charged with careless driving, you can be penalised in the following ways:

- Charged a fine up to £2500,
- Have between 3 and 9 penalty points placed upon your license
- A discretionary disqualification from driving.