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Very Serious Road Traffic Offences
Serious Motoring Offences
Patterson Law represents clients across England and Wales in relation to some of the most serious road traffic offences which carry a minimum 12-month disqualification, an extended retest, community orders and in many cases a prison sentence.
If you are on a low income you may be able to get legal aid in relation to these types of serious allegations because there is a risk of a prison sentence. We are specialists in road traffic offence law and do not offer legal aid. We are only able to assist if you can pay private legal fees.
We believe it is a high-risk strategy to entrust cases like these to a non-specialist. Now is the time to ask a motoring offence specialist how to defend your allegations.
Call us for free advice so that we can go through you case in detail and advise on the best way forward if you have been charged with any of the following offences: –
Patterson Law represents clients across England and Wales in relation to;
- Dangerous Driving
- Causing Death by Dangerous Driving
- Causing Death by Careless Driving
- Causing Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving
- Causing Serious Injury by Careless Driving
- Causing Injury by Wanton or Furious Driving
Dangerous Driving Penalties:
- 12 Month Minimum Ban
- Mandatory Extended Retest
- Risk of up to 2 Years Imprisonment
Driving offence code: DD40
Dangerous Driving
We have considerable experience successfully defending serious offences which are dealt with by our Critical Case Specialists. The Sentencing Guidelines for this offence were updated on 1st July 2023 and consequently more offenders will be at risk of a custodial sentence.
Dangerous Driving Sentencing Guidelines: – https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/magistrates-court/item/dangerous-driving/
It is an offence under s.2 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 to drive a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or other public place.
To convict you the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt that the standard of your driving fell well below that of the careful and considerate driver. However, you can also be accused of driving dangerously if your vehicle is defective.
The term “dangerous” refers to danger either of injury to any person or of serious damage to property.
Dangerous related allegations normally include suggestions of driving erratically at unsafe speeds, racing or competitive driving, a police chase, or overtaking in an extremely reckless manner.
If convicted, you will be automatically banned for a minimum period of 12 months and you will be ordered to take a mandatory extended retest before you are allowed to drive again. You are also at serious risk of being sent to prison if you have been accused of these allegations.
If you have been accused of dangerous driving, you are going to need expert advice as this is an either-way offence which can be dealt with at both the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court.
Death by Dangerous Driving Penalties:
- 5 Year Minimum Ban
- Mandatory Extended Retest
- Risk of up to 2 – 18 Years Imprisonment
Driving offence code: DD80
The offence of causing death by dangerous driving is committed under section 1 RTA 1988 when the suspect’s driving is a cause or factor in the death of another person and the driving was dangerous.
This the most serious of all road traffic offences and is indictable only, which means that the case will be heard in the Crown Court.
The Sentencing Guidelines for this offence were updated on the 1st July 2023 which increased the risk of custodial sentence and also increased and the maximum sentence.
Death by Careless Driving Penalties:
- 1 Year Minimum Ban
- Discretionary Extended Retest
- Community orders
- Risk of up to 5 Years Imprisonment
Driving offence code: CD80
The offence of causing death by careless driving is committed under section 2B RTA 1988 when the person’s driving is a cause or factor in the death of another person and the driving was careless.
New Sentencing Guidelines were brought into force on 1st July 2023 and as with any new guidance we are going through a phase of uncertainty in relation to the potential length of a disqualification, but we do know that upon conviction offenders will face a minimum one-year disqualification together with community orders. There is a serious risk of custody with this offence.
To convict the Prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt the suspect’s driving is a cause or factor in the death of another person and the driving was careless or inconsiderate.
If you have been accused of causing death by careless driving, you are going to need expert advice as this is an either-way offence which can be dealt with at both the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court.
The Court can also now consider the following offences: –
- causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs
- causing death by careless driving
- causing death by driving whilst disqualified
- causing death by driving whilst unlicensed or uninsured
Serious Injury by Dangerous Driving Penalties:
- 2 Year Minimum Ban
- Mandatory Extended Retest
- Community orders
- Risk of up to 5 Years Imprisonment
Driving offence code: DD10
The offence of causing serious injury by dangerous driving is committed under section 1A of the Road Traffic Act 1988 when a person causes serious injury to another person by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle dangerously on a road or other public place.
New Sentencing Guidelines (https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/magistrates-court/item/causing-serious-injury-by-dangerous-driving/) were brought into force on 1st July 2023 bringing them in line with the new guidelines for Dangerous Driving.
“Serious injury” is defined as “… physical harm which amounts to grievous bodily harm for the purposes of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861” (section 2C (2)(a) RTA 1988).
This is an either-way offence which can be dealt with at both the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court.
This is a complicated area of law and you need expert advice to ascertain whether the charging standard for both dangerous driving and serious injury has been met.
Serious Injury by Careless Driving Penalties:
- 1 Year Minimum Ban
- Discretionary Extended Retest
- Community orders
- Risk of up to 2 Years Imprisonment
Driving offence code: CD33
The offence of causing serious injury by careless driving is committed under Section.2C of the Road Traffic Act 1988 when a person causes serious injury to another person by driving a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or public place without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons.
New Sentencing Guidelines (https://www.sentencingcouncil.org.uk/offences/magistrates-court/item/causing-serious-injury-by-careless-or-inconsiderate-driving/ ) were brought into force on 1st July 2023 bringing them in line with the new guidelines for causing serious injury by Dangerous Driving.
“Serious injury” is defined as “… physical harm which amounts to grievous bodily harm for the purposes of the Offences Against the Person Act 1861” (section 2C (2)(a) RTA 1988).
This is an either-way offence which can be dealt with at both the Magistrates Court and the Crown Court.
This is a complicated area of law and you need expert advice to ascertain whether the charging standard for both careless driving and serious injury has been met.
We are Dangerous & Careless Driving experts and we can help you…… Ask a FREE question with no obligation.
Do you depend on your driving licence for your job? We can help defend allegations…
Google Rating
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I cannot thank Dominic Smith at Patterson Law enough for the exceptional support and guidance he provided. From the outset, … More Dominic took the time to listen carefully, understand the nuances of my case, and explain my options in a clear and compassionate manner. His advice was not only thorough but delivered with a level of professionalism and care that truly stood out.In a situation that was both stressful and unfamiliar, Dominic’s calm, knowledgeable approach was incredibly reassuring. It was clear that he genuinely cared about helping me reach the best possible outcome — and his insight gave me the confidence and strategy to move forward.I am ever so grateful for his time, expertise, and kindness. I genuinely cannot recommend Dominic highly enough — if you need legal advice on motoring matters, he is exactly the person you want in your corner.
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I simply cannot recommend this firm highly enough. Outstanding and professional service from the start.Every person I have … More spoken to, from my initial enquiry through to the conclusion of my case have been simply wonderful.I would particularly like to thank Karen Parsons, Danny Blight and Katie Ruston for all their help over the last few months.Everything was handled with the utmost professionalism, they explained every step of the process along the way.I would also like to pass on my thanks to Claire Gascoyne, my advocate on the big day, another professional who I would not hesitate to recommend.I guess like many people, when I was first notified of my offence, I called around a few firms nationwide, let me save you the effort..just call Patterson Law!
Testimonials
I wanted to thank you for all the good and diligent work you have done on my behalf. I am very pleased with the final outcome of my court case and most satisfied with the level of service you provided.
Dear Louise, I would like to express deep appreciation for all the work and effort you've put into my case and for ultimately getting me the decision that I wanted. Your professionalism, ease to communicate with, understanding of my problem and successful result are all testimony to your excellent legal services. I would recommend anybody with a Road Traffic Offence matter to your use your firm as they can be assured of an excellent and thorough service. Thanks again.
Having Googled for a solicitor who had expertise in the area of my alleged offence I found your firm and I have to say it I am so glad I contacted you. From the first phone call the attitude from your office was positive and informative. Once I instructed your firm officially I immediately felt that my case was at last being handled by someone who actually had an interest and knowledge and wanted to provide an exceptional service. All in all a positive experience. My thanks to all who had dealings with my case and especially to Louise for the expediency with which she dealt with the case saving me many sleepless nights. Very professional, honest from the outcome, didn't raise my hopes at getting case discharged at all. Very well done.
It is extremely rare to do a web search and stumble across a firm of any profession, and actually receive a first rate service, but that’s what’s happened in this instance. My hesitation was doubled by the fact they are located 200 miles away from me. From my initial contact through the web site, the call back was very, very fast, and the conversation put you in no doubt you were in safe hands. The contact with the secretaries was fast and efficient. The information from both the Principle Solicitor Emma Patterson and the Solicitor and Senior Case Progression Officer Louise Kippax was professional, useful, thorough and pragmatic. I wish more people in all professional services sector were as down to earth, and say it like it is! Overall, I would have no hesitation in recommending this firm. Thank you!
Great Response, Great Advice, Great Service and … Great Result – Thanks.
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