Manchester: 0161 850 2347 / London: 020 8945 5212 / Huddersfield: 01484 599 888 / Birmingham: 012 1320 2220
  • Home
  • >>
  • Blog
  • >>
  • Careless Driving Citation Left Up To Officer Discretion

Careless Driving Citation Left Up To Officer Discretion

Careless driving is sometimes referred to as driving without due care. When your driving performance is below the expected standard of reasonable, competent and prudent driving and a police officer notices your carelessness, you will likely be given a citation.

So, what would be examples of careless driving that could result in receiving a citation? Overtaking on the inside is one such example. As would be driving too close to another vehicle on the motorway, emerging from the side road right in front of another motorist, and driving through a red light. Other examples could include tuning your car radio, talking to and looking at a passenger to a point of being distracted, lighting a cigarette, reading a map while on the motorway, and using a mobile telephone while on the motorway.

What kind of penalties could you be facing if a citation were issued for careless driving and how are the penalties determined? To start with, a fine of up to 2,500 pounds may be in store. Secondly, a penalty of anywhere from 3 to 9 points may be put on your licence. Finally, you may be disqualified if cited with a careless driving offence. The one who determines the penalty to be placed for careless driving citations is the police officer who pulls you over. They decide on the penalty on the spot. Though, more serious careless driving incidents will still go through court in order for the court to possibly enforce harsher penalties.

So, how can we help you if you were given a careless driving citation? Though the police officer was the one who determined your citation, you can still appeal your decision through the court. That is where we come in, we can defend you in court so that your penalty is at the very least lessened.

30/12/2015 11:31