Mobile phone, careless & dangerous driving

Handheld device, careless and dangerous driving offences.

Driving standard offences range from a fixed penalty for handheld phone use to indictable dangerous driving charges with custody. The standard the court applies is what a competent and careful driver would do.
  • Careless driving (driving without due care and attention)

    Careless driving covers driving that falls below the standard expected of a competent and careful driver. It can follow a collision, an officer’s observations or video evidence, and may lead to a course, fixed penalty, court fine, 3–9 points or disqualification.

  • Dangerous driving

    Dangerous driving is a serious England and Wales offence assessed against an objective driving standard. It can lead to custody, an obligatory ban of at least 12 months and an extended retest, making early evidence preservation and informed legal advice particularly important.

  • Failing to comply with traffic lights

    Failing to comply with traffic lights usually means crossing a stop line after red. This guide explains amber-light rules, camera and police evidence, notices and deadlines, the usual £100 and three-point outcome, court risks, and situations where the facts may be disputed.

  • Using a mobile phone while driving

    Using a handheld phone while driving can bring £200 and six penalty points, or a higher court fine and disqualification. The rules cover far more than calls and texts, including photographs, music and scrolling, even when traffic is stationary.