Do you have to appear in Court for Dangerous Driving, Fail to leave name and address, Drive disqualified, or any other traffic offence?
Get expert advice and representation from an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist. Traffic offences such as Dangerous driving, careless driving, Drive whilst disqualified, Fail to leave name and address, are prosecuted under the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic).
Many of these offences carry the risk of license suspension or cancellation. Some categories of traffic offences, such as drink or drug driving may result in mandatory license disqualification.
Dangerous Driving
In addition to the drink and drug driving categories, dangerous driving is another example of an offence carrying the possibility of mandatory license disqualification. Refer to our blog for detailed information about what the prosecution must prove, and penalties.
Careless Driving
Careless driving is the less serious alternative offence to dangerous driving. Whilst no mandatory period of license loss applies to a charge of careless driving, a Magistrate still has the discretion to impose a period of suspension under Section 28 as described above.
Drive Whilst License Suspended/Disqualified
Another prevalent traffic offence is Drive motor vehicle whilst license disqualified/suspended (section 30 of the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic). It may surprise many that several years ago a 2nd offence of drive whilst license disqualified carried a mandatory term of imprisonment. In sentencing for a 2nd offence, the Court would in most cases order a suspended sentence, however there were occasions where persons, often young men would be sentenced to a term of imprisonment for a 2nd or 3rd drive whilst disqualified offence. This led to a review of the law, and an amendment to the Road Safety Act, where mandatory imprisonment was removed for a second and subsequent offence.
The offence although prevalent, is regarded by the Courts as being one of the most serious traffic offences contained under the Road Safety Act 1986 (Vic). To read more about the elements, defences and penalties for Drive whilst disqualified/suspended read our article drive whilst disqualified.
The consequences that flow from a traffic offence, can as discussed above result in license loss. This can of course can adversely affect employment, particularly where driving a motor vehicle is a critical aspect of your job. Where you are facing a traffic offence that carries mandatory loss of license, it is critical to get legal advice to explore your options particularly any defences that may be available.
Traffic Offence Resources
Traffic Offences
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