Anyone who has driven a car knows how easy it is to go on autopilot. As we travel a familiar route home from work or are listening to our favourite podcast, it’s hard to keep our attention on the road at all times. Concentrating is even harder if you’ve got kids in the back or are on a long car drive.
A little attention slip at the wrong moment, though, can have dire consequences. Driving attentively at all times sometimes seems impossible in a world of distractions. If you find yourself with a charge of careless driving, then it’s a good idea to speak to a Brisbane traffic lawyer, who will be able to help you.
Nevertheless, ensuring your safety while protecting others on the road is crucial. We’re here to give you some prevention tips and tricks and offer guidance if you are dealing with a careless driving charge.
What Careless Driving Really Means
According to the Queensland Transport Operations (Road Use Management) Act 1995, “any person who drives a motor vehicle on a road without due care and attention or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place is guilty of an offence of careless driving.” So what does this mean?
First and foremost, it accounts for those cases where an accident was caused by the driver alone. For instance, if you were to drive into a traffic light or a stationary vehicle.
Beyond that, there’s texting and driving, failing to stop at stop streets, and failing to keep a safe distance from the car in front of you. You could very easily crash into a vehicle that suddenly breaks if you don’t keep your eyes on the road.
Consequences for Careless Driving
Consequences of careless driving can shift depending on the nature of the offence and the harm it causes. The fallout for running a red light will not be the same as those for careless driving that causes severe physical harm to a pedestrian.
In most cases, though, the maximum penalty is fine is approximately $5,750 or six months imprisonment. These penalties however are a maximum and usually not the penalty you receive. Each charge is assessed on its own merits. Your car also risks being impounded.
Of course, things go wrong, but when they do, it’s good to have help from an expert on your side. Working with a Brisbane traffic lawyer will mitigate the stress of dealing with a careless driving charge.
Remember that the consequences are meant to match the severity of the crime. It’s a good idea to work with someone who will be able to represent you fully and fairly.
How to Drive More Carefully
Between phone calls, meetings, long journeys, and fatigue, the risk of careless driving might feel inevitable, even overwhelming. But don’t panic, as there are several ways you can help yourself stay present when driving.
Treat driving when you’re overtired like drunk driving. Research indicates that the two are more similar in how they affect the brain than one may presume. Similarly, if you aren’t feeling well, let someone else take care of the driving.
Also, ensure that you minimise distractions as much as possible. The light of a phone notification, glancing down to select a new song, and pets getting in the way of your steering are all preventable distractions.
Last but certainly not least, be sure to brush up on your road rules. Pay attention to signs posting the speed limit, always indicate, and be sure to check your blindspot before you change lanes.
What to Do If Charged with Careless Driving
While it can be a challenging and scary experience, especially if you didn’t mean to do anything wrong, a Brisbane traffic lawyer will be able to give thorough advice and offer you the best way forward.
Sources:
https://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/view/pdf/inforce/current/act-1995-009
https://www.qld.gov.au/law/crime-and-police/types-of-crime/hooning
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/Safe-driving
https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-020-09095-5