Maximum sentence for careless driving

[Infomaniac]

A friend of mine is up in front of magistrates on Friday for careless driving. The car my friend was driving collided with a cyclist in a very narrow country lane. There is a witness who, although he didn't see the actual collision, claims that a few minutes earlier he had been obliged to jump out of the way of the cyclist into a hedge, as he was speeding downhill in a reckless manner. My friend claims the cyclist came round a bend towards her on the wrong side of the road and she had no time to avoid him. If she is found guilty, does anyone know the maximum sentence that she could receive? A breath test showed negative.

[Nibble]

Extract from http://www.motorlawye.../careless_driving.htm

9 penalty points or an instant driving ban. If a ban is imposed, the Court will not endorse your licence with points. Additionally, conviction will lead to a means tested fine that is typically £200–£800 but subject to a theoretical maximum of £5,000. In extreme cases, community service/curfew orders can be imposed

[Infomaniac]

Thank you Nibble - I'll check out the website. I am so concerned on her behalf - she is a lovely person and is worried sick, even though her solicitor is confident she will be found not guilty.

[New Judge]

Nibble is incorrect. No community orders can be imposed for Careless Driving. The maximum penalty is a fine of £5,000.

Sentencing guidelines suggest a fine of between 50% and 150% of a week's net income (reduced by a third for a guilty plea). As well as this, either penalty points (between 3 and 9) or a disqualification will be imposed.