Driving is one of the most common activities and many individuals drive from place to place on a daily basis. While most people drive regularly without facing any issues, there is always a chance that a lapse in judgement might cause you to commit a driving offence. In this post, we take a look at some of the most common driving offences that you might be charged with in Victoria and what you should do if you’re ever charged with a driving offence.
Common Driving Offences in Victoria
Some of the most common driving offences you can commit include:
Drink Driving
Drink driving occurs when you drive a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. This is a very common driving offence that many people are charged with each year. While you will not be charged if your blood alcohol concentration is lower than 0.05%, this is a very low limit which can be easily exceeded if you have had more than one drink. Moreover, some license holders such as learner drivers are not allowed to have any alcohol in their systems at all while they drive.
Careless Driving
Although many people do not know about it, careless driving can also be a chargeable offence. Careless driving occurs when you drive in a way that is not careful or prudent in the circumstances. Common causes of a careless driving charge include failing to keep a safe distance behind the car in front of you.
Speeding
Driving over the speed limit, also known as speeding, is another common offence that many people unwittingly commit while driving. If you go more than 25km/h over the speed limit, you will be charged in court. Otherwise, chances are that you will just get a warning or have to pay a fine. Moreover, there are also valid defences to the charge of speeding that a driving offences lawyer will be better able to advise you on.
What to Do If You’re Charged with a Driving Offence
If you’ve been charged with a driving offence, you will most likely need to go to court to plead your case. While you have the option to represent yourself, this may not be a good idea, especially in complex cases involving other parties. The criminal legal system can be complex and unfamiliar to individuals without proper legal training.
Thus, the first thing you should do once you’re charged is to engage a driving offences lawyer. Your lawyer will be able to assess the facts of your case and provide you with appropriate advice on how you should proceed.
Get in Touch with a Driving Offences Lawyer Today
Here at Leanne Warren & Associates, our team of expert criminal lawyers has decades of experience in representing individuals charged with driving offences and other criminal offences in Melbourne and the surrounding areas. We can help you build a defence, negotiate with the prosecution and represent you in court. Contact us today so we can help you get the best possible outcome for your driving offence charge.
