What is driving without due care and attention?

24 October 2022

You may have seen headlines such as ‘£5,000 fines for driving without sunglasses’ and be wondering what your dress sense could possibly have to do with driving safely. 

Driving with due care and attention is a broad rule which, when broken, can carry a fine as well as penalty points or even a driving ban, depending on the severity of the offence.  

Anything from wearing inappropriate clothing, such as flip flops, to chatting with passengers in your vehicle could potentially put you at risk of driving without due care and attention. It is a rule which can apply to a wide scope of circumstances and conviction can depend on the judgement of a police officer or court.

For example, if you are driving safely in the sunshine without wearing sunglasses, you are unlikely to be found breaking any rules. If you get into a road traffic accident whilst dazzled by the sun , however, you could be handed a fine and several penalty points on your driving licence. 

The Sentencing Council outline the main factors which indicate culpability as follows: 

• Excessive speed or aggressive driving
• Carrying out other tasks while driving
• Vehicle used for the carriage of heavy goods or for the carriage of passengers for reward
• Tiredness or driving whilst unwell

Driving contrary to medical advice (including written advice from the drug manufacturer not to drive when taking any medicine).

The RAC expand on this with the following examples: 

• Fiddling with the radio or infotainment
• Setting the sat nav
• Reading a map (or anything else)
• Eating or drinking at the wheel
• Adjusting your seating position
• Allowing yourself to be distracted by passengers in the car
• Driving aggressively
• Tailgating
• Overtaking on the left-hand side
• Lane-hogging
• Not giving way where appropriate
• Swerving across lanes
• Using the wrong lane at a roundabout.

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We serve hundreds of primary and secondary schools across the UK. To find out more about our contract hire services for schools, colleges, universities and charities, please contact us on 01480 220444 or email info@marshall-minibus.co.uk. 

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