Prosecutions for careless driving

Freedom of Information (FOI) Act request ref: 01/FIN/25/003193/D

 Version Date: 21/05/2025

The Dorset Road Safety Team have provided the following information.

Can you release a copy of your latest guidance on when to prosecute (and when not to prosecute) reports of careless driving, especially when there is supporting video evidence?

Dorset Police currently make decisions when and when not to prosecute submissions of video evidence in the following way:

Evidence review officers will consider various factors when making the decision, which would include the quality of the video evidence, any statement errors and whether the offence is sufficiently complete to meet charging standards for a successful prosecution in court. This includes whether the statement is factually correct i.e. correct time, date, location, and vehicle registration are included and the timescale of the submission due to the processes involved, in reviewing the incident, making a decision and then issuing the Notice of Intended Prosecution within the timescales set by law.

Can you also confirm how many decisions NOT to prosecute have been taken by Dorset Police, in relation to careless driving allegations, since 1 March 2025?

From 01/03/2025 – 30/04/2025 there have been 85 decisions not to prosecute careless driving related offences.