Careless driving

Driving without due care and attention or careless driving is a legal term for a particular type of moving traffic violation in the United States, Canada (at least in Ontario) and United Kingdom. It is often punishable by fines or endorsements on a driver's license.

It is usually a less serious offence than reckless driving (United States) or dangerous driving (United Kingdom), though more serious than driving whilst using a mobile phone.

In England and Wales and Scotland this offence was created by section 3 of the Road Traffic Act 1988 (as substituted by section 2 of the Road Traffic Act 1991). It carries a punishment of between three and nine penalty points and a fine of up to £5,000.

The same act also created the offence of "Causing death by careless driving when under the influence of drink or drugs" by section 3A (as inserted by the Road Traffic Act 1991).

Examples of concrentration lapses include being distracted by passengers, adjusting the radio and looking at satellite navigation systems. Prosecutions generally only occur when there has been an accident.

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Wikipedia