Dangerous Driving: Serious Consequences And Legal Support

Dangerous driving is a severe criminal offence in the United Kingdom and attracts stern penalties. 

Understanding the possible consequences and seeking legal advice may be helpful if you or someone close to you is accused of such charges.

This blog will explore the specifics of dangerous driving, what it is, the potential consequences, and the best course of action if you are charged with it.

Seeking Legal support and help can provide you with the reassurance and guidance you may need in this challenging time.

What Is Dangerous Driving?

Dangerous driving is driving a vehicle in a manner that is dangerous to the driver or other people.

Dangerous driving is also defined as driving a vehicle in a way that would not be expected of a careful and efficient driver, free from any resultant harm to others or the driver. 

This can include various actions such as:

• Excessive Speed: Speeding is defined as operating a vehicle beyond the legal limit or the recommended limit for road construction.
• Driving Under the Influence: Driving a vehicle in any way that is influenced by alcohol or any kind of unlawful drug.
• Driving While Disqualified: Driving without a requisite license or under a suspended or revoked license.
• Driving When Unfit: Operating a vehicle under the influence of a physical or mental condition that negates your ability to operate a vehicle safely.
• Driving While Distracted: It involves engaging in activities that divert one’s attention from the road, such as using a mobile phone or eating.
• Dangerous Overtaking: Overtaking other vehicles in a way that might cause an accident.

What Are The Possible Consequences Of Dangerous Driving?

The penalties for dangerous driving can be severe and may include:

• Imprisonment: Depending on the severity of the offence, you may be imprisoned for up to two years in addition to fines.
• Fines: There are almost no limitations on penalties that can be imposed. Depending on the offence, specific penalty points are imposed and stay on the driving record for 4 years from the date of conviction.

• Disqualification: Prohibition of the operation of a motor vehicle for a specified period.
• Loss of Driving License Points: Any points you receive on your driving licence add up, which may lead to disqualification. When you accumulate significant points on your driving licence, a strict sanction—a driving ban—can be imposed on your driving licence.

Importance Of Legal Support For Dangerous Driving Charges

Dangerous driving charges mean an individual’s legal representation is paramount, and getting a prospective solicitor to represent them is vital. They can provide expert guidance, represent you in court, or help you understand your rights and options.

Here are some strategies that a solicitor may employ to defend you:

• Challenging the Evidence: A solicitor can thoroughly review the evidence produced by the prosecution and notice loopholes. This may involve disputing a witness’s believability, doubting the calibration of speed-measuring instruments, or arguing and discrediting the results of breath analysers.
• Negotiating a Plea Bargain: More often, there are chances of plea bargaining with the prosecution, where the accused may be charged with a lesser offence or punished with a lighter punishment. This can be especially helpful if the case has concrete and explosive evidence against you and the consequences are strict penalties.
• Presenting a Defence: An experienced solicitor allows you to build up a robust storytelling armoury like:
  • Alibi: Some of these provide evidence that you were not at the scene of the offence.
  • Mechanical Failure: To claim that the mishap is caused by mechanical failure.
  • Mistaken Identity: Saying that it got mistaken for the driver.
  • Provocation: Professing that you were challenged to reckless driving by another driver.
• Mitigating the Sentence: When one is convicted, a solicitor can best assist in reducing the sentence that has been handed by pleading other factors such as:
  • Character References: Recommendation letters from close friends, families and employers are proof of your good character.
  • Remorse: The findings on how to say sorry in nine different languages showed that it is sometimes necessary to say sorry just to ease a guilty conscience and get a chance to mean it later.
  • Rehabilitation: Ensuring the Court, the jury, or the judge is convinced that some changes have been made to avoid risky driving.

How can Hadilaw Help?

Dangerous driving is an offence that bears many risks that anyone should avoid or prevent from happening. Understanding your rights and options can increase your chances of a favourable outcome.
It is essential if you are likely to be charged, so it is wise to seek the guidance of a competent motor offence solicitor. They can give you advice, act on your behalf, and guide you throughout the legal procedure in case of a legal issue.