The government also says that if your vehicle is insured, but incorrectly, you could also be punished.
Careless or inconsiderate driving
Under the Road Traffic Act of 1988, drivers can be prosecuted for driving without due care and attention, otherwise known as careless or inconsiderate driving.
The CPS describes the offence as “when the defendant’s driving falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver”. It covers a series of common actions that some drivers probably do every day.
These include but aren’t limited to driving through a red light by mistake, turning into the path of another vehicle, flashing lights to force another driver to give way, driving too close to another car, lighting a cigarette, fiddling with the radio, driving too slowly, misusing lanes on a motorway (including lane hogging in the middle and outermost lanes) brake checking and purposely dazzling drivers with full beam.
Dangerous driving
The word ‘dangerous’ naturally sounds more severe than ‘careless’ or ‘inconsiderate’, and when you see the list of related offences, you can see why.
Described as when “the defendant’s driving falls far below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver”, it covers racing, ignoring road signs, dangerous overtaking, driving while drunk or when drugged, using your phone, reading, changing a CD or tuning the radio, driving when sleepy or driving with an unsafe load.
Document offences
Document offences cover a few different infringements, including driving without a licence, an MOT or insurance.
If you’re caught driving without a valid licence, you could be fined £1000 and be slapped with three or six points on your licence. You could also be banned from driving. If your vehicle lacks an MOT, you can get fined up to £1000.
You’ll receive a far more serious punishment if you’re found to be driving without insurance. You could receive six to eight points on your licence, plus a fine of up to £5000. In some scenarios, you can be banned from driving for up to 12 months and have your car destroyed.
