THE TRUTH ABOUT CARELESS DRIVING IN MISSOURI

You didn’t cause an accident. You weren’t drunk. You weren’t even speeding all that much.

But you got hit with a “careless and imprudent driving” ticket and now you’re facing points, fines, and maybe even a court date.

Sound familiar?

At Speeding Ticket KC, our experienced Kansas City traffic defense attorneys handle careless driving charges every single week. This charge is broad, subjective, and often unfair but it can still carry serious penalties. Here’s what you need to know about what this ticket really means:

WHAT IS “CARELESS AND IMPRUDENT DRIVING” IN MISSOURI?

Missouri Revised Statute 304.012 defines careless and imprudent driving as operating a vehicle:

“…in a careless or imprudent manner without due regard for the safety of persons or property.”

Sounds pretty vague? But what does it mean?

This law gives police a lot of discretion, meaning you can get slapped with a careless driving ticket for:

• Swerving or drifting between lanes
• Following too closely
• Driving too fast for conditions (even under the speed limit)
• Aggressive lane changes
• Running late and driving “recklessly”
• Even just annoying an officer with how you’re driving

THE PROBLEM WITH CARELESS DRIVING TICKETS

Careless driving charges are often used as a catch-all when the officer doesn’t have a stronger citation. It’s easy to issue, hard to define—and harder for drivers to defend without help.

You might think, “I wasn’t being careless, I was just driving like everyone else!”

But in court, that subjective officer opinion carries a lot of weight, unless you have an experienced Missouri traffic defense lawyer fighting for you.

PENALTIES FOR CARELESS DRIVING IN MISSOURI

If convicted, careless driving is a Class B misdemeanor, which may carry:

• Up to 6 months in jail (rare for first-time offenders)
• Fines up to $1,000
• 2–4 points on your Missouri driver’s license
• Insurance premium hikes
• CDL disqualification (if you’re a commercial driver)
• A permanent criminal traffic record

If the “careless driving” caused an accident, injury, or property damage, the charge can be enhanced and the consequences even more severe.

CAN YOU BEAT A CARELESS DRIVING TICKETS

Yes — and we do it all the time. Here’s how our skilled Kansas City traffic defense attorneys approach it:

Challenge the Officer’s Interpretation: Since the charge is based on the officer’s opinion, we examine:

• Dashcam or body cam footage
• Weather and road conditions
• Other vehicles’ behavior
• Any inconsistencies in the officer’s report

Expose Weak Evidence: Was there no accident, no radar reading, and no dashcam proof? We’ll argue that your actions didn’t endanger anyone—and that the charge is overblown.

Negotiate an Amendment: In many cases, we can work with the prosecutor to amend the ticket to a non-moving violation (like “defective equipment”), avoiding points and record damage.

Push for a Dismissal: If the evidence is weak, we’ll move to have the case dismissed entirely—saving you from fines, court dates, and long-term consequences.

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T JUST PAY THE TICKET

Paying the fine is the same as pleading guilty—and that means:

• Points go on your license
• Your insurance company is notified
• The conviction stays on your driving record
• You lose your ability to fight or reduce the charge later

Don’t make that mistake. Talk to an experienced Missouri traffic defense lawyer near you first.

HOW CAN SPEEDING TICKET KC HELP YOU?

Our attorneys handle careless and imprudent driving cases across Kansas City and throughout Missouri. We’ll:

• Review the ticket and officer notes
• Represent you in court
• Fight to reduce or eliminate the charge
• Keep your driving record and insurance clean

We’ve helped thousands of Missouri drivers fight back—and win.

HIRE AN EXPERIENCED KANSAS CITY AND MISSOURI CRIMINAL DEFENSE LAWYER

If you’ve been ticketed for careless driving in Missouri, you have options. Let Speeding Ticket KC protect your license, your record, and your reputation.

Call Speeding Ticket KC today for a free consultation with a proven and affordable Missouri traffic defense lawyer near me who knows how to fight vague charges — and win.