Careless or inconsiderate driving

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The offence of driving without due care and attention (careless driving) under section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 is committed when the defendant's driving falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver - section 3ZA(2) of the RTA 1988.

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Some examples of careless or inconsiderate driving are:

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• overtaking on the inside;

• driving too close to another vehicle;

• driving through a red light by mistake;

• turning into the path of another vehicle;

• the driver being avoidably distracted by tuning the radio, lighting a cigarette etc. 

• flashing lights to force other drivers to give way;

• misusing lanes to gain advantage over other drivers;

• unnecessarily staying in an overtaking lane;

• unnecessarily slow driving or braking;

• dazzling other drivers with un-dipped headlights.

 

The Sentencing Guidelines

https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/magistrates-court/item/careless-driving-drive-without-due-care-and-attention-revised-2017

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