There are a number of different types of motoring offences. These can range in severity as do the punishments. It’s important to be aware of the different offences so that you know what to avoid in order to be a safer driver.
Driving with excess alcohol
There are various scales of punishment for drunk driving (driving with excess alcohol). Often it will result in disqualification but this can invoke a fine of up to £5,000 and in the most severe cases a jail sentence.
As well as driving the vehicle, failure to take a breath test or being found near a vehicle you own while drunk can potentially result in punishment. This is why generally speaking it is best to not take the risk when going out and either be the designated driver or use public transport.
Speeding
Typically being caught speeding will result in 3 to 6 penalty points on your license. As these accumulate (typically up to around 12) there can be further sanctions such as speed awareness courses or worst case scenario disqualification.
Driving without due care and attention
This one can be subjective – however on the basic level this means that you were not paying attention to the road, causing damage or injuries. Typically speaking, this can result in 3 to 9 penalty points on your license or in more severe cases it can lead to disqualification.
Of course this is not always as clear cut as it seems – being temporarily distracted can have massive consequences and it may be that people need to be aware of any possible mitigating circumstances.
Failure to stop
Sometimes referred to as a “hit and run” incident this is when someone fails to stop after an accident or doesn’t report an accident they are involved in. Given the potential consequences involved if the other party is severely injured this can lead to imprisonment (although less severe cases may simply involve penalty points). It can’t be stated enough – if you are involved in an accident you should never drive off and reporting an incident is vital.
Legal advice
These are a few examples of motoring offences. In some instances there can be mitigating circumstances. In others there may not be but a guilty plea may help to avoid the more severe punishments.
Of course sometimes these things can be complicated – for example there are stories of some fraudsters who set up accidents in order to receive compensation. This can be difficult to prove which is why it can be useful to have effective legal representation.
At Larcomes we believe in being “large enough to specialise and small enough to care”. Being involved in car accidents and other incidents can be potentially very emotionally distressing and it is important to have someone to hand who can guide you through the process.
If you are involved in any motoring based legal issues and want more information on your case please contact us today and we will be happy to go into more detail to help you through and explain the best course of action for your particular circumstances.