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Causing serious injury by careless or inconsiderate driving

s.2C Road Traffic Act 1988 · Crown Court / Magistrates

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Sentencing framework

The guideline for sentencing this offence takes into account the culpability of the offender and the harm caused. Offenders are categorized based on their level of culpability and the severity of injury to the victim. Sentences range from community orders to custody, with a maximum sentence of two years. Aggravating factors, such as previous convictions and the vulnerability of the victim, may lengthen the sentence, while mitigating factors like a good driving record or genuine remorse can lead to a reduction.

Maximum sentence

2 years’ custody

Court

Crown Court / Magistrates

Starting point

1 year’s custody (for culpability A, harm 1)

Offence range

Community order – 2 years’ custody

Aggravating factors

  • ·Previous convictions
  • ·Victim was a vulnerable road user, including pedestrians, cyclists, horse riders, motorcyclists etc
  • ·Disregarding warnings of others
  • ·Driving for commercial purposes
  • ·Driving a goods vehicle, PSV etc
  • ·Other driving offences committed at the same time as the careless driving
  • ·Blame wrongly placed on others
  • ·Failed to stop and/or obstructed or hindered attempts to assist at the scene
  • ·Passengers in the offender’s vehicle, including children
  • ·Vehicle poorly maintained
  • ·Offence committed on licence or while subject to court order(s)

Mitigating factors

  • ·No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
  • ·Good driving record
  • ·Actions of the victim or a third party contributed significantly to collision or injury
  • ·Offence due to inexperience rather than irresponsibility (where offender qualified to drive)
  • ·Genuine emergency
  • ·Efforts made to assist or seek assistance for victim(s)
  • ·Remorse
  • ·The victim was a close friend or relative
  • ·Serious medical condition requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
  • ·Age and/or lack of maturity (which may be applicable to offenders aged 18-25)
  • ·Mental disorder or learning disability
  • ·Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
  • ·Pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care
  • ·Difficult and/or deprived background or personal circumstances
  • ·Prospects of or in work, training or education

Always read the full guideline

This is a one-page summary. For any live case, sentencing exercise, or legal advice the authoritative source is the Sentencing Council's own definitive guideline — including the category bands, step-by-step sentencing approach, and all statutory factors not captured here.

Open the full guideline on sentencingcouncil.org.uk

Source: Sentencing Council · Crown copyright, licensed under Open Government Licence v3.0. Summary fetched 2026-06-28. Not legal advice — see a regulated adviser for any live case.