Reckless Driving

What is Reckless Driving?

Reckless Driving is any number of motor offences which can be directly responsible for an accident on a public road or motorway in which a collision is the end result. It can be the result of an individual's inability to understand their surroundings, perhaps be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or simply they may simply be driving too fast and breaking the required speed limit. Whatever the cause Reckless Driving can be attributed to at least twenty-five per cent of the road traffic accidents (RTA) which happen on British roads every year.

Offences

There are several key offences which constitute Reckless Driving, they are:

• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Driving without Due Care and Attention
• Driving whilst Under the Influence of Drink or Drugs
• Driving whilst Disqualified
• Driving without a Licence

Speeding

It has to be said that this is one of the most common of all road traffic offences and indeed is one of the most common when it comes to causing accidents involving other drivers. For the most part speeding is quite simply a driver's insistence that he or she should be at a location or destination within a set time frame, without allowing for the correct amount of time to make the journey. Many speeding drivers are simply impatient and will try to get to their destination in the shortest possible time, breaking speed limits on both roads in suburban and country areas as well as on motorways.

Tailgating

This is the practice of driving too close to the car in front. Normally you should allow for at least two to three seconds driving distance between you and the vehicle in front however with drivers who engage in the act of tailgating they are normally no further than a one second's distance away. This is extremely dangerous especially in troublesome weather conditions and if there is a heavy build-up of traffic on roads and motorways. This is generally why the rule of thumb is that the driver behind is responsible if an accident occurs.

Driving without Due Care and Attention

Quite simply this means that a driver is not fully in control of their vehicle for any number of reasons. Some drivers find that they need to have music whilst driving and play the music at volumes which cause them not to hear other drivers using their horns. Likewise loud music can be a distraction and many drivers take unnecessary risks such as changing a radio station or CD which involves taking their eyes off the road.

Similarly talking on mobile telephones - which is now illegal - is another common way in which drivers lose concentration. A percentage of drivers on the roads annually will be found to be suffering from fatigue and rather than stop continue on their journey and ultimately can drift off, causing them to swerve erratically thus making other drivers brake suddenly to avoid a collision.

Driving whilst Under the Influence of Drink or Drugs

Again this is another unfortunately popular road traffic offence. This is not always a case of deliberately drinking and driving or taking drugs and driving. There can be genuine reasons for this happening i.e.: a driver may have had over the legal limit the previous night and consider themselves fit to drive the next morning whilst the alcohol is still in their system. Similarly an individual using prescribed medication may be unaware that it is impairing their judgement and/or reflexes.

Driving whilst Disqualified

Many drivers who have lost their licences take the unnecessary risk of driving without their licence. Not only do they risk finding themselves back in front of the magistrate with the very real possibility of a custodial sentence but they will also find that they have no insurance to cover them or other parties in the event of an accident.

Driving without a Licence

There are a percentage of drivers on the roads today who have not passed their driving tests so therefore are driving only with a provisional licence - if they even have this. Driving without a licence means that you are not road legal and regardless of whether the car you are driving has insurance it means that you are not insured in the event of an accident.

All of the aforementioned are criminal offences and as such can carry hefty fines and/or custodial sentences as well as driving bans and endorsements being added to your licence.

Whilst driving on the roads it is important to take extra care in all weather conditions and also to ensure that you are medically fit and drug and alcohol free before setting out on your journey. Failing to do so could find you having to appear in court on a reckless driving charge.