Careless driving
Florida Statute § 316.1925(1)
Summary verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: October 1, 2026.
Quick Summary
A driver on streets or highways must act carefully and prudently for the road's width, grade, curves, corners, traffic, and other circumstances so as not to endanger people or property. Describe the driving act and the particular circumstances that made it unsafe; do not rely solely on a conclusory label or the fact that a crash occurred. Ordinary carelessness is distinct from reckless driving, which requires willful or wanton disregard.
Summary sources
Classification, Points & Penalties
Classification, Points & Penalties
- Category
- Driving Conduct
- Type
- Moving
- Civil / Criminal
- Civil
- Offense Classification
- Moving infraction
- Points
- 3
- Fine / Penalty
- $60 base moving penalty; speeding/enhanced-zone schedules may differ
Base fines are not the total payable amount. Costs, enforcement method, crash consequences, prior history, and court disposition can change penalties or points. A reported zero does not rule out license suspension or revocation.
Court & Enforcement
Court & Enforcement
- Mandatory Court
- No, generally
- NTA Eligible
- N/A — civil citation
- Custodial Arrest
- No — civil infraction (absent separate lawful basis)
NTA means notice to appear. Eligibility is conditional; these fields do not independently authorize arrest. Confirm the exact statutory track, lawful arrest authority, traffic procedure, and agency policy.
Arrest authority guideCivil infractions resulting in death or serious bodily injury require a hearing under §318.19.