Too many people mistake the fact that being able to drive a car on the road is just as much a privilege as it is a right. However, the unfortunate reality is that regardless of how good you think you might be behind the wheel, all it takes is a momentary lapse in judgment or a belief that you can drive while fatigued to cause serious injury or possibly death to you, your passengers, and other road users. If you do find yourself involved in a road traffic accident and it is found that you were the negligent party, you could find yourself facing severe legal challenges and the very real possibility of a custodial sentence if the crime was heinous enough. In this post, we’re looking at how certain offenses can lead to these kinds of punishments so that you can understand the severity and hopefully make adjustments to your attitude before you choose to operate a vehicle.
The Importance Of Legal Representation
Before looking at what charges could result in legal issues, it’s worth noting that you will likely need professional legal representation if you’re to avoid the worst of what might be coming your way or at least to help you present a case that reduces your sentence somewhat. For instance, you will need to hire an attorney specializing in DUI offenses to help you defend against driving under the influence charges so that you can put your case forth and possibly present mitigating circumstances to the court. Conversely, if you’ve been driving recklessly, a lawyer can also give you advice vis-a-vis speaking with all enforcement to avoid incriminating yourself and then offer strategies to provide you with a chance in court.
Driving Under The Influence
Perhaps the most well-known offense is driving while intoxicated. This could be from being over the limit in terms of how much alcohol you’ve ingested or if you’ve taken drugs that have impaired your ability to drive. In any case, this is looked upon with the utmost severity as it could result in serious injury and death. In reality, while you might not go to prison (although this is a possibility), you will be banned from driving for a certain period and likely face enormous fines.
Hit And Run
If you have hit another vehicle or person and chosen to flee the scene rather than call the emergency services, you are liable for harsh punishment. If you caused severe damage or injury, you could also face a custodial sentence along with the usual fines and driving bans.
Speeding Violations
Speeding offenses can range in punishment depending on where you were speeding and how much you were over the limit. If, for example, you were caught going 5-10 MPH over the limit on a highway, chances are that you will be given a ticket and be told to go on your way. However, if you double the limit in a school zone, you can expect to face a much stiffer penalty and possibly even a ban.
Driving is something that we all take for granted, but when things go wrong, they can do so pretty spectacularly. By understanding what sort of penalties you might face for what offenses, you can make more of an effort to drive safely and keep all road users and pedestrians safe.
