Special Reasons

What’s required for Special Reasons

Put in its simplest form Special Reasons can be described as a reasonable explanation for why the offence took place which justifies the court from not imposing the usual penalties.  There is no legal definition, but a number of cases have established that Special Reasons must:

• Be a mitigating or extenuating circumstance
• Not amount to a legal defence
• Be directly related to the offence itself and
• Be one which the court ought to properly take into consideration when imposing a sentence.

Special Reasons can arise in a variety of circumstances and each case will be decided on its own unique facts.  A Special Reason is not a legal defence to the charge in question, and it will only apply where the driver either accepts he has committed the offence or where he has been convicted of an offence after trial.  Special Reasons must be directly related to the commission of the offence and cannot refer to the personal circumstances of the driver.  This means that the consequences of penalty points or disqualification on the driver cannot amount to Special Reasons.  Therefore the loss of employment and consequent hardship to the driver or his family cannot amount to Special Reasons.

Types of Offence where Special Reasons can apply

Special Reasons can apply to most road traffic offences, including:

• Speeding
• Running a red light
• Dangerous driving
• Careless driving
• Vehicle defects
• Drink driving
• Driving without insurance

Procedure for Special Reasons

An application for Special Reasons must be raised by the driver at the time of sentence.  This should happen at the point at which he is convicted or where he accepts he committed the offence and pleads guilty.  In the normal course of events, once an application for Special Reasons has been made the court will fix a date for a hearing which is called a Special Reasons Proof.

The onus or responsibility is on the driver to prove that Special Reasons exist and that these would justify the court from not imposing penalty points or disqualification.  In practice the driver will give evidence and lead other evidence to establish that there are Special Reasons.  Defence witnesses may also be called to support the application for Special Reasons.  If this evidence is not accepted by the prosecutor the driver will be cross-examined and the evidence he relies on will be challenged.  Conversely, the prosecutor may accept what is said by the driver.  In this situation, the court can simply hear submissions in the absence of evidence.

The Court’s Decision

Some of the issues that a court may look at when considering special reasons include:

• how far the vehicle was driven
• the manner of driving
• the condition of the vehicle
• whether the driver was intending to go further
• road and traffic conditions
• the possibility of danger to other road users.

At the conclusion of the hearing the court will make a decision that Special Reasons have or have not been established.  Where Special Reasons are established the court can order that no penalty points are endorsed on the licence.  If the offence carries disqualification, the court can reduce the period of disqualification or impose no disqualifiaction at all.

Examples of Special Reasons

• Medical emergency or some other emergency
• The shortness of the distance driven
• Escaping danger or threatening behaviour

Special Reasons & Driving without Insurance Offences

Special Reasons may apply if the driver or owner of the vehicle can establish that:

• there was a genuine and honest belief that insurance cover was in place
• the genuine and honest belief was based upon reasonable grounds

Special Reasons & Drink Driving Offences

With drink related offences Special Reasons might apply if the driver can establish that:

• his drink was spiked or laced
• he was escaping violence
• there was some other emergency