VIC Careless Driving Traffic Law Offence - What to Do?

Australia's #1 for Law
Join 150,000 Australians every month. Ask a question, respond to a question and better understand the law today!
FREE - Join Now
19 July 2015
1
0
1
Hi, I've been charged with careless driving after running into a traffic mobile signal. Only l was injured and witnesses say l was driving erratically, I have retrograde amnesia.

What are my penalties likely to be should l plead guilty? l have no history of driving or traffic law offences and no criminal record. Thank you.
 

Sarah J

Well-Known Member
16 July 2014
1,314
251
2,389
Melbourne, Victoria
Hi Wendy A Anderson,

If you have no criminal record, ask the police to recommend you on the diversion program. I know that careless driving offences can be diverted onto the program. Essentially, a diversion program means that you agree with the police to undergo some conditions (e.g. partake in a driving course, write an apology to the police/council) and in exchange, the police drops all charges against you for careless driving. Because the police drops the charges, you will not get a conviction and you will not be asked to enter a plea. You will likely need to admit your responsibility with the police informally (to show remorse and that you understand you were wrong). Because you will not have a conviction, this incident will not be recorded on your criminal record and your criminal record will be kept clean.

You can request it, as this is your first offence and careless driving is still relatively minor. Both the police and the Registrar of the Magistrates' Court will need to agree to it. This may mean, you will need to go to court for an informal interview with the Registrar for them to sign off on it.

If the police decide to press ahead with the charge, and you believe you did drive carelessly (e.g. the car hit something), then pleading guilty will likely mitigate your sentence because it shows you've owned up to the responsibility, you show remorse and you have saved the court and police a lot of time and resources. However, you should only plead guilty if you honestly believe you were guilty and feel you wish to plead guilty. It is completely up to you.
 

chanel

Member
28 January 2021
1
0
1
Hi,

i have been charged with careless driving and recommended for diversion.

i have been given a form to fill out and am unsure of what to put under 'reason for offence' is there anything that would be wise to include?
it was a complete accident of human error and am happy to take responsibility
 

457Visafraud

Well-Known Member
16 April 2017
115
4
389
Hi,

i have been charged with careless driving and recommended for diversion.

i have been given a form to fill out and am unsure of what to put under 'reason for offence' is there anything that would be wise to include?
it was a complete accident of human error and am happy to take responsibility
  1. You should start you own thread.
  2. "what to put under 'reason for offence" you already have the answer "human error".