Receiving a dangerous driving charge is the most serious motoring offence that can be committed without causing death or injury. If you are convicted, you face the possibility of being sent to prison for up to two years, and you will be disqualified from driving for a minimum of twelve months.
For some offences, you have to be given either a warning of a possible prosecution at the time the offence occurred, or you or the registered keeper of the vehicle must receive a notice of intended prosecution within 14 days of the offence.
Is there an automatic ban? The minimum penalty for a dangerous driving conviction is an automatic 12-month ban from driving. However, this could be extended if the details of your case are severe. You'll also need to take a retest before being able to drive again.
Penalty table Show
| Offence | Maximum penalty |
|---|
| *Dangerous driving | 2 years' imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification |
| *Causing death by careless driving under the influence of drink or drugs | 14 years' imprisonment / Unlimited fine / Obligatory disqualification (minimum 2 years) |
Careless driving falls below the minimum standard expected of a careful driver and includes driving without reasonable consideration for other road users. Dangerous driving includes behaviour that could potentially endanger yourself or other drivers. If you drive in a careless or dangerous way you risk prosecution.
According to Olliers Solicitors, you would need to report the matter to the police using the non-emergency number 101. You would be required to give your details and describe the incident in as much detail as possible, for example the car make, registration number and description of the driver.
If you know someone who may no longer drive safely, you may submit a Request for Driver Reexamination (DS 699) to the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to review their driving qualifications.
Dash-cam footage – or clips from any source – can get sent to the police in a number of ways, either via a link on the force's own website or via the national dash-cam portal. Or, if that particular police force doesn't have a system in place, then you have to either email or phone 101 and ask how to proceed.
Operation Snap is a secure online facility which allows submissions of video and photographic evidence relating to driving incidents that members of the public have witnessed.
Call the DVLA on their toll-free phone number at 0844 453 0118.
- You can call the hotline to report any kind of unsafe driving.
- Also call the DVLA if you suspect that an elderly person doesn't have good enough eyesight to be driving or if someone appears to be falling asleep at the wheel.
If you're seriously concerned about an older person's driving, you should write in confidence to the DVLA. They may then follow up with the local police.
To further ensure anonymity, callers can dial *67 before calling any agency or organization. This blocks the number of the caller. Reporting activity to the local police is also an option, but anonymity may be harder to keep.
You can leave a comment on their driving here, or alternatively call us on 0800 266 266.
Short answer, no. They can file a complaint for reckless driving, but without an officer observing your driving, that would be a hard charge to pursue in court.
Is tailgating illegal? Yes, tailgating is a careless driving offence, and you could land yourself a fine of up to £200 or points on your license if you're caught by the police. The new written warning system will work alongside police enforcement, using cameras to catch drivers who are too close for comfort.
8 ways to stop an elderly person from driving
- Anonymously report them to the DMV.
- Use Alzheimer's or dementia forgetfulness to your advantage.
- Have a relative or close friend “borrow†the car.
- Hide or “lose†the car keys.
- Take the car for repairs.
- Disable the car.
- Sell the car.
- Hide your own car and car keys.
What will happen to the vehicle? Don't expect it to be instantly scooped up and taken away, in many cases the vehicle will be clamped and a notice attached to it. If nothing happens after a set period of time, it's likely the vehicle will be removed and possibly scrapped.
A driving assessment can confirm your practical driving ability and may be useful if DVLA are making medical inquiries. The aim of an assessment is to check physical and cognitive ability to drive a vehicle in safety and comfort and to offer advice on aids and adaptations that may assist driving.
Yes, a criminal defense attorney can find out someone's identity if they called the police and made an anonymous tip. But, the caller can also be listed as a “confidential witness.”
Offenders will be arrested immediately and then processed via the Police system which can be an alarming experience. You will be taken to the Police station in handcuffs, finger printed, DNA tested, searched, photographed and then held in a cell prior to a taped interview being undertaken.
Call 999 or the police anti-terrorist hotline on 0800 789 321 to report an immediate terrorist threat. You can also report a possible terrorist threat online. Calls to 999, 101 or 0800 numbers are free.
If it's not an emergency, you can call the police on 101 or go to your local police station. You might also be able to report it to your local police force online. If you want to report a crime anonymously, you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or give them information online.
You can contact the police on 101 or 999 in an emergency. If you want to report suspected drug dealing anonymously, you can do this through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 1111 or via their website. After you have reported the matter to the police, contact us and we will record the details and carry out an investigation.
