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Driving Offences


Driving offences

There's a broad range of driving offences, but they mainly fall under two categories: dangerous driving, and careless or inconsiderate driving.

Dangerous driving

The offence of dangerous driving is when driving falls far below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and includes behaviour that could potentially endanger yourself or other drivers. 

Examples of dangerous driving are:

  • speeding, racing, or driving aggressively

  • ignoring traffic lights, road signs or warnings from passengers

  • overtaking dangerously

  • driving under the influence of drink or drugs, including prescription drugs

  • driving when unfit, including having an injury, being unable to see clearly, not taking prescribed drugs, or being sleepy

  • knowing the vehicle has a dangerous fault or an unsafe load

  • Distractions are also causes of dangerous driving, for example:

  • using a hand-held phone or other equipment

  • reading, or looking at a map

  • talking to and looking at a passenger

  • lighting a cigarette, selecting music, tuning the radio

  • Careless or inconsiderate driving

    The offence of driving without due care and attention (careless driving) is committed when your driving falls below the minimum standard expected of a competent and careful driver, and includes driving without reasonable consideration for other road users.

    Some examples of careless or inconsiderate driving are:

  • 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, such as by tuning the radio or lighting a cigarette

  • 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

  • Driving under the influence

    Driving whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs (legal and illegal) is a specific offence, but can also be considered as dangerous or careless driving.

    Read more about alcohol and drug driving.

    Other offences

    It's an offence to:

  • drive without a driving licence covering a vehicle of the class being driven

  • drive without insurance

  • drive without an MOT

  • drive while disqualified

  • Find out more about vehicles without an MOT certificate or vehicle tax

    Find out more about driving without insurance

    Mobile use

    Using a mobile phone or handheld device is a specific offence but also can be considered as dangerous or careless driving.

    Penalties include points on your licence and a fine. You could lose your licence if you've passed your test in the last two years.

    Read more about driving and mobile device use.


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    Message Sent By
    Adam McAree
    (Staffordshire Police, PCSO, Lichfield)

    Neighbourhood Alert Cyber Essentials