Alberta takes careless driving extremely seriously. The province has strict rules in place defining what qualifies as careless driving, and prosecutors don’t need to prove that a driver was intending to drive carelessly. They do need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, however, that your actions endangered others.
Demerit points, heavy fines, and increases in insurance premiums are all possible when you’re found guilty of a careless driving charge. Those can have a serious impact on a driver’s life, so it’s worth it for anyone charged with careless driving to contact We Defend and try to fight the charges.
What Is Careless Driving?
With tickets for offences like impaired driving or speeding, there are generally clear metrics for determining whether a ticket should be issued, like blood-alcohol levels and the speed of a vehicle.
That’s not necessarily the case with careless driving. The key to a careless driving charge is that a driver’s actions behind the wheel endangered others. There’s a wide range of offences that could qualify as careless driving, and while some of them might seem obvious, others might surprise you. Some examples include:
- Racing another car.
- Driving or stunting in a way that is likely to “distract, startle or interfere” with other people using the road. This could include doing doughnuts in a parking lot.
- Causing excessive noise while driving.
- Tailgating a car too closely.
- Driving overly-aggressively. Changing lanes aggressively and cutting off other drivers is an example.
- Driving without headlights on when it’s dark.
- Driving in the wrong lane or in a bike lane.
What Are the Repercussions of a Careless Driving Ticket?
The consequences of careless driving charges can be severe and could wind up costing you a lot of money, both in fines and in the long term, when your insurance rates are inevitably raised. In extreme cases, jail time is even a possibility.
Not every reckless driving charge will result in the same punishment. However, it is still considered a very serious charge under Alberta law, and the impact on insurance rates alone makes it worthwhile to hire an expert to fight the charges and get them reduced or dismissed.
Some of the potential repercussions of a careless driving charge include:
- Six demerit points: It only takes eight demerit points for your license to be suspended on a GDL license so the six demerit points that come with a careless driving charge could result in losing your ability to get to work, school, or other important appointments if you have any other charges on your record.
- Major fines: The minimum fine for a careless driving charge in Alberta is $567, but the maximum is $2,000. Even before you include the increases you’ll likely face in insurance premiums, the fines alone can make it worthwhile to fight the charges with We Defend.
- Jail time: In extreme cases, a jail term of up to six months is possible for careless driving charges.
- Insurance increases: Regardless of how much you’re fined, pleading guilty to reckless driving charges will almost always result in an increase in your insurance premiums. This could wind up costing you thousands of dollars.
Why You Should Fight a Careless Driving Charge
For all the reasons listed above, it’s almost always worth fighting a careless driving charge. Financially speaking, fighting a reckless driving charge will save you money compared to the alternative.
The prosecution will aim to prove that you were endangering others when you were driving in order to secure a conviction for careless driving charges. We Defend has over two decades of experience working on behalf of Albertans who have been charged with careless driving and will work to prove that your actions didn’t cause enough danger to merit a charge.
How Do You Fight a Careless Driving Charge?
Once you’ve decided to fight a careless driving charge, We Defend will dive into the details of the charge against you so we can help defend your charge.
It can be deeply stressful to be facing charges of any kind, and with the steep consequences that are associated with careless driving charges, it’s important to remember a few key steps as you prepare to fight.
- Review the ticket: You’ll want to understand the specifics of what you’re being charged with. Careless driving charges can encompass any number of things on the road, but understanding the charges will help prepare your defence.
- Gather evidence: The crown needs to prove that you put others in danger when you were behind the wheel. Dash-cam videos and the witness testimony of others who were in the vehicle can help strengthen your argument that no one was endangered.
- Request disclosure: The prosecutor is required by law to turn over all evidence against you, which can help create a more convincing defence.
- Prepare your defence: Working with a team of experts like We Defend can help you create a convincing argument for why you should not be convicted of careless driving charges. We’ll check for mistakes and inconsistencies in the charge, and our experience has helped countless Albertans get their reckless driving charges dismissed or reduced.
- Appear in court: Any careless driving charge comes with a mandatory court appearance. Be sure to dress formally on your court date and be prepared to hear arguments from both sides.
We Defend Can Help You Defend Careless Driving Charges
A careless driving charge is serious and can impact your life, whether financially through fines and increased insurance rates or your ability to drive. Fortunately, you don’t need to just accept the charges and plead guilty. Fighting careless driving charges is always worthwhile, and We Defend will work diligently to prove that your actions didn’t violate the safety standards of a reasonable driver on the road.
If you need to fight a careless driving charge in Alberta, call us at 587-806-3586 or fill out our contact form today.
FAQs About Careless Driving in Alberta
Is Careless Driving a Criminal Conviction in Alberta?
Careless driving is not a criminal offence in Alberta, but it can lead to penalties like license suspension and fines. However, if you are convicted of dangerous driving, you could end up with jail time and a criminal record.
Does a Careless Driving Ticket Affect Insurance?
A careless driving ticket can increase your insurance premiums in Alberta for three years or more. It may also affect your ability to renew your policy.
How Long Does a Ticket Stay on Your Record in Alberta?
Traffic tickets and convictions stay on your record for three years from the date of conviction in Alberta. Demerit points stay on your record for two years.