Derecho de tráfico
Infracciones de tráfico, conducción bajo influencia del alcohol y seguro.
Introducción
El derecho de tráfico regula las infracciones de conducción, los requisitos de seguro y las sanciones por incumplimiento.
Principios fundamentales
Dangerous Driving — Driving that falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver, and where it would be obvious that driving in that way would be dangerous (s.2 RTA 1988).
Careless Driving — Driving that falls below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver (s.3 RTA 1988).
Drink Driving — It is an offence to drive or be in charge of a vehicle with alcohol above the prescribed limit (s.4–5 RTA 1988). The limit is 80mg per 100ml of blood in England & Wales.
Drug Driving — It is an offence to drive with specified controlled drugs above prescribed limits (s.5A RTA 1988).
Causing Death by Dangerous Driving — Maximum sentence of life imprisonment (s.1 RTA 1988, as amended).
Insurance — It is an offence to use a motor vehicle on a road without at least third-party insurance (s.143 RTA 1988).
Penalty Points — The totting-up system: accumulating 12 or more points within three years normally leads to disqualification for a minimum of six months.
Failing to Stop / Report — After an accident involving injury or damage, drivers must stop and provide details, or report to police within 24 hours (s.170 RTA 1988).
Leyes clave
Road Traffic Act 1988
Casos principales
R v Gosney
[1971] 2 QB 674
Escenarios comunes
Caught drink driving
The driver is arrested, breath-tested at the police station, and if over the limit, charged under s.5 RTA 1988. Likely penalty is disqualification for at least 12 months, a fine, and possible community order or imprisonment for high readings.
Accumulating 12 penalty points
Under the totting-up procedure, the driver faces mandatory disqualification for at least 6 months. They may argue exceptional hardship at the magistrates' court to avoid or reduce the disqualification period.