Careless Driving Dismissed Under Section 76 of the Sentencing Act

This is a case study on careless driving at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court, where the charge was found proven and then dismissed with no order made against the client’s licence.

What is alleged to have occured?

Our client was charged with Careless Driving and Failing to Have Proper Control of a Vehicle after falling asleep behind the wheel at speed, veering across a number of lanes before colliding with the barricades in the median strip of the Hume Highway. The impact of the collision caused debris to scatter across the inbound and outbound lanes, causing significant damage to a number of other vehicles which had to be towed from the scene. The client’s vehicle suffered irreparable damage and was written off.

The client was a tradesman and losing his licence would mean losing his job. We represented him at the Broadmeadows Magistrates’ Court.

What happened at court?

We case conferenced the matter with the police who agreed to withdraw the charge of Failing to Have Proper Control of the Vehicle. Medical documentation was provided to the court to show that the client had immediately taken himself to his treating doctor for testing, to determine any possible medical causes for ‘blacking out’ whilst behind the wheel.

A number of character references were also provided to confirm the client’s good character. A letter from his employer was also tendered, confirming that our client stands to lose his job if he loses his license.

What was the result?

After hearing the submissions, the magistrate found the charge proven (Careless Driving) and then dismissed it under section 76 of the Sentencing Act. The court did not make any order against the client’s license, or impose any other penalty.