Last amended by Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 in 2022. Increased maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while under the influence to life imprisonment.
Independent editorial summary — not the official statute text. Read the official version on legislation.gov.uk.
Summary
The Road Traffic Act 1988 is the principal statute governing road traffic offences and vehicle regulation in Great Britain. It covers dangerous and careless driving, drink and drug driving, causing death by driving, insurance requirements, and vehicle construction and use.
Key Points
- Causing death by dangerous driving — maximum life imprisonment (s.1)
- Dangerous driving — driving falling far below the standard of a competent driver (s.2)
- Careless and inconsiderate driving (s.3)
- Driving while unfit through drink or drugs (s.4) and excess alcohol (s.5)
- Failure to stop and report an accident (s.170)
- Requirement for third-party motor insurance (s.143)
- Causing death by careless driving while under the influence of drink or drugs (s.3A)
- Dangerous driving (s.2) and causing death by dangerous driving (s.1)
- Causing death by careless driving when under the influence (s.3A)
- Drink-driving offences — driving with excess alcohol (s.5)
- Compulsory third-party insurance requirement (s.143)
- Driving while disqualified (s.103)
- Dangerous driving (s.2) and causing death by dangerous driving (s.1) — maximum life imprisonment (as amended)
- Careless driving (s.3) and causing death by careless driving (s.2B)
- Drink-driving (s.5) — prescribed limit: 80mg alcohol per 100ml blood
- Drug-driving (s.5A) — driving with specified controlled drug above prescribed limit
- Driving without insurance (s.143) — strict liability offence
- Failing to stop after accident (s.170) and failing to report
Parts & Sections
Amendments History
2022 — Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
Increased maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving and causing death by careless driving while under the influence to life imprisonment.
2022 — Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
Increased maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving to life imprisonment; created new offence of causing serious injury by careless driving.
2022 — Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022
Increased maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving to life imprisonment.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the Road Traffic Act 1988?
- The Road Traffic Act 1988 is the principal statute governing road traffic offences and vehicle regulation in Great Britain. It covers dangerous and careless driving, drink and drug driving, causing death by driving, insurance requirements, and vehicle construction and use.
- How is dangerous driving defined under the Act?
- A person drives dangerously if their driving falls far below what would be expected of a competent and careful driver. Additionally, it must be obvious to a competent and careful driver that driving in that specific way would be dangerous.
- What is the legal limit for alcohol when driving?
- The prescribed limit for alcohol is 80mg per 100ml of blood. A person commits an offence if they drive or attempt to drive with a proportion of alcohol in their breath, blood, or urine exceeding this limit.
- What is the maximum penalty for causing death by dangerous driving?
- The maximum sentence for causing death by dangerous driving is life imprisonment. This was increased by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, which also increased the maximum sentence for causing death by careless driving while under the influence.
- What constitutes a drink-driving offence?
- A person commits an offence if they drive or attempt to drive a motor vehicle on a road or other public place after consuming so much alcohol that the proportion in their breath, blood, or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.