Careless Vs Dangerous Driving – What’s the Difference?

While careless driving and dangerous driving charges can result from the same situations, the penalties in both instances are not the same. The penalties for dangerous driving are more serious compared to careless driving. A drunk or drug driving penalty usually accompanies both charges if a driver tests positive.

Before you hire a lawyer to help you, you must know that a careless driving charge is the less serious of the two as it is only a traffic charge and not a criminal one. However, careless driving may also be punishable with a jail sentence. In this guide, you will learn the differences between careless driving and dangerous driving in Australia.

Careless Driving Charge

Careless driving is considered to be the less serious of the two charges. It is only a traffic charge and not a criminal charge. You can also be punished with a jail sentence depending on the situation or the circumstances. You may also acquire a result of ‘no disqualification’ being put on your licence.

It also carries an important loss of around three demerit points if you are deemed guilty or plead guilty. If you have good driving behaviour, the three demerit losses may be breached, and you might acquire a special hardship licence. In this dangerous driving vs careless driving debate, you need to know that you can be considered safer if you are charged with careless driving.

A careless driving incident can occur when your car hits a gutter or a tree or collision with other vehicles or places due to carelessness. It can also include pedestrian accidents resulting in people being injured. If you are charged with one, you can contact reputed careless driving lawyers in Perth.

Dangerous Driving Charge

This type of charge is the higher of the two charges and is a traffic-related charge that can be considered a criminal charge. Dangerous driving usually occurs when a driver is said to have dangerously driven a motor vehicle. To decide if the driving was dangerous, the court usually looks at the speed at which the vehicle was driven.

They also look at whether the driving was dangerous to the public with regards to circumstances like:

• Nature, condition and use of the place
• Nature and condition of the vehicle
• The number of people, objects and vehicles that are expected to be in that place
• The concentration of alcohol in the driver’s blood
• The presence of other substances in the driver’s body.

It is good to seek the advice of dangerous driving lawyers in Perth if you are charged with careless or dangerous driving. They can help provide solutions in the most difficult of times.

Penalties for Careless Driving

All states in Australia look down upon negligent or careless driving. This form of driving involves driving carelessly without being influenced by drugs or alcohol. Examples of such incidents include texting, causing accidents, or falling asleep while driving.

The maximum penalties for careless driving are none is hurt or injured are as follows:

• Queensland – Around 40 penalty units that amount to $5,222 and six months imprisonment.
•  New South Wales – 10 penalty units or $1,100.
• Western Australia – 30 penalty units or $1,500.
• Victoria – 12 penalty units or $1,771.
• Northern Territory – 20 penalty units or $3,080, along with two years of imprisonment.
• Tasmania – 5 penalty units or $840.

Penalties for Dangerous Driving

Before looking for traffic lawyers in Perth, you must know that a driving offence is considered dangerous when there are things that the court considers provoking. This indicates that the driver is usually under the influence of drugs and alcohol or drove their car at extreme speeds. It also involves being purposely careless on the road while severely injuring people in the process. The maximum penalty for dangerous driving across several Australian states is as follows:

• New South Wales – 20 penalty units or $2,200 with nine years imprisonment.
• Queensland – 200 penalty units or $26,110 and three years imprisonment. This can also increase to 400 penalty units or $52,220 and 5 years imprisonment if the driver’s speed is over 40Km/hr and intoxicated.
• Victoria – 240 penalty units or $35,420 and two years imprisonment.
• Western Australia – 720 penalty units or $36,000 and three years imprisonment along with at least a minimum of 3 years driving ban.
• South Australia – Two years imprisonment and 12 months driving ban.
• Northern Territory – 20 penalty units or $3,080 and seven years imprisonment.
• Tasmania – 20 penalty units along with two years of imprisonment.

Why Choose Traffic Lawyers Perth?

If you are charged with either careless or dangerous driving and want to save yourself from maximum punishment and to make a case for yourself, you need a lawyer. The best traffic lawyers in Perth can help to reduce your offence or even save you from potential punishments in such cases.