Careless Driving

[lukas17]

Is careless driving a motoring offence or criminal offence? I pleaded guilty to careless driving last year and recieved an 18 month ban and a fine.

[Buenchico]

All breaches of motoring law (which the exception of parking violations in areas where the local authority has taken over control of parking) are criminal offences.

'Driving without due care and attention' is a criminal offence, just as much as speeding, causing an obstruction, shoplifting or murder are.

If your question relates to the creation of a 'criminal record', matters dealt with by fixed penalty notices don't normally count (although they could still show up on an enhanced CRB check if a senior police officer deemed the information to be relevant). Any conviction before a court creates a criminal record.

Chris

[New Judge]

Are you sure it was carelessdriving with which you were charged?

An 18 month ban for careless driving is extremely unusual. In fact, unless it was a particularly serious set of circumstances it is not usual to be banned for the offence at all.