Dangerous driving in Western Australia

Lisa Riley, Lawyer, in our Crime & Traffic team has outlined the penalties of Dangerous Driving in WA.

WHAT IS DANGEROUS DRIVING

Dangerous Driving is defined in section 61 of the Road Traffic Act 1974 (WA) as driving "in a manner (which expression includes speed) that is, having regard to all the circumstances of the case, dangerous to the public or to any person"

Examples of behaviours which could be classified as dangerous driving include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Accelerating excessively resulting in the loss of control of a vehicle on a road;
• Falling asleep at the wheel whilst in control of a vehicle on a road;
• Driving at an excessive speed;
• Failing to stop where a driver is required to do so, in accordance with the rules of the road;