Whenever a road traffic accident (RTA ) occurs the drivers of the vehicles that are involved are required to stop. The authorities should be notified of the incident when appropriate and the drivers should exchange contact details with one another for insurance purposes. Failing to stop or failing to report an accident are both classified as driving offences under UK law. If a driver is involved in an accident and they are unable to stop for a genuine reason, the driver must report the incident to the police within 24 hours of the accident occurring. Accidents must be reported to the police in person, as opposed to over the phone. If all involved parties are able to stop at the scene of the accident and exchange full details, then the police do not need to be notified.

A driver is only required to stop if they know that an incident has occurred. If there is evidence that a careful and competent driver should have been aware of the accident, then the Prosecution can build a case against the Defendant. A careful and competent driver may be alerted by evidence such as a loud bang or sudden jerking movement which is felt within the vehicle. In these cases, a careful and competent driver must consider the possibility of an accident and is therefore required to stop the vehicle.

Punishment for Failing to Stop at the Scene of an Accident

Drivers may receive sanctions and punishments if they fail to stop at the scene of an accident. Punishments for this offence can include a fine of up to £5,000, between 5-10 penalty points endorsed on the driver’s licence and a disqualification from driving. In severe cases, the driver may be given a jail sentence or community order. This normally occurs in cases where a person has been injured or serious damage has been caused to property.

Defence

If you have been charged with failing to stop at an accident or report an accident within the required time frame, then it may be possible to mount a successful defence. Our team will look at every detail of your case to help to create a strategy that may lead to an acquittal. If we do not believe that it will be possible to secure an acquittal in your case, we will fight to reduce the sanctions that are issued.

It may be possible to avoid a driving ban if you are able to show that a driving ban would result in extreme hardships, such as a threat to your livelihood.