Road Traffic Offences

In both the business and private sector, it is more likely that a driver will find him or herself in trouble because of alleged road traffic offences than any other criminal law matters.  Many drivers are totally dependent on retaining their licences for their livelihoods (either because they are professional drivers or drive during the course of their business) or a driving licence is vital for domestic reasons to transport family members, including those who are unable to do so themselves through age or disability. 

At Woodfines we can help you deal with communications from the Police, as well as Court summonses, and can also assist drivers who are liable to a mandatory minimum six month driving disqualification under the ‘totting up’ provisions where a driver accumulates twelve or more penalty points. 

We can assist you with all road traffic offences including the following:

• Drink or drug driving
• Dangerous or careless driving (including fatal accidents)
• Speeding
• Failure to provide driver information
• Defective vehicles
• Failure to stop or failure to report accident
• Appeals against the DVLA

For further advice on Road Traffic Offences, please contact Mike Hayward

Meet the Team

Case Studies:
 

Excess alcohol

Represented a man charged with driving with excess alcohol.  Whilst any conviction would have led to the client losing his driving licence for two years with the consequence of him losing his employment.  Our solicitor found a technical problem with the Lion Intoximeter machine used on the day in question having examined police documentation and this led to the Crown Prosecution Service having no option but to drop the charge. The client was understandably both delighted and relieved with this outcome.

Careless driving

Our client, a bus driver, was accused of careless driving having collided with a vehicle outside of a school.  After a two day trial, the client was found not guilty when it was established through our advocacy that the accident had been caused by inconsiderate parking and those driving to drop off their school children. This led to our client maintaining his clean driving record and ability to continue working in the passenger vehicle sector.

Driving without the correct licence

Our client faced a heavy financial penalty and potential disqualification for driving otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence. His HGV entitlement had expired without his knowledge and when stopped by the police he was found not to have the correct licence and was charged. We took the matter to trial and following a legal argument with the prosecution, the case was dropped. We used our extensive experience in both general motoring matters and specialist heavy goods vehicle case knowledge to mount the necessary argument.

Speeding

Our client was alleged to have been speeding at over 100mph. An avid motor cycle hobbyist he faced disqualification and a minimum of six points, either way he would lose his motorcycle licence through insurance restriction. We took the matter to trial and successfully argued that the police failed to comply with their Roads Policing Enforcement Policy. The case was dropped.