Situation
Our client, a professional HGV driver, contacted us after receiving a court summons for a serious driving incident. During a road rage incident, he had been involved in tailgating and brake-checking (deliberately braking sharply in front of another vehicle). It resulted in significant vehicle damage and injuries. Due to the seriousness of the incident, he was initially charged with dangerous driving. The other driver involved faced similar charges.
Action taken
Our experienced motoring advocate explained the legal risks of a dangerous driving charge and the potential penalties. Dangerous driving charges can be sent to the Crown Court for sentencing and may result in up to five years in prison, a minimum one-year driving ban, and a requirement to pass an extended driving test.
We worked with the prosecution, presenting evidence that our client was mostly a victim in the incident. This negotiation led the prosecution to reduce the charge from dangerous to careless driving—a much less severe offence.
Our client was also concerned about being in the courtroom with the other driver due to the tense nature of the incident. We arranged to keep the cases separate in court and ensured they didn’t encounter each other in the building.
Outcome
In court, we presented detailed arguments to minimise the penalty. The court accepted our recommendation and gave our client the minimum penalty: 3 points on his licence and a fine of £435. Our client was relieved and grateful for this result.
Conclusion
This case shows the importance of having an experienced legal team to handle serious driving offences. Our client faced a potential jail sentence and licence loss, but thanks to our expertise, he was convicted of a lesser offence with a much lighter penalty.
If you’re dealing with a serious driving charge, don’t hesitate to seek legal advice. Our specialist motoring defence lawyers are here to help you achieve the best possible outcome. Call us on 0115 910 6239 or email info@keepmeontheroad.co.uk.