Laws regarding careless driving charges vary from state to state—including the name of the offense and its definition. This offense generally requires that the government (prosecution) prove the driver was carelessly or negligently disregarding the rules of the road or failing to operate the motor vehicle in a careful and prudent manner. A driver who fails to stop at a stop sign or to signal a turn or lane change or is texting while driving, for example, may be cited for careless driving.

Careless driving is generally a less serious infraction or offense than reckless driving, and which offense a driver is cited for may be determined by the degree of the violation and whether it caused an accident.

As with many traffic violations, the officer issuing the citation and the prosecutor have significant discretion in determining whether there was a violation of a traffic law and whether the violation constitutes a certain offense, as defined by the state legislature in the traffic code or in a municipal ordinance.

This discretion to issue a ticket or citation and prosecute the charge against the driver is balanced by the discretion of the jury or judge in determining whether the prosecution met its burden of proof sufficient to convict the driver (for a criminal offense) or find the driver responsible (for a civil infraction, violation, or offense).

In Connecticut, careless driving is typically referred to as 'driving without due care and attention' or 'negligent driving.' Under Connecticut law, specifically Connecticut General Statutes Section 14-222, a driver may be cited for operating a motor vehicle on the highway without due care, at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger the life of any person, or without due regard for the safety and convenience of other drivers and pedestrians. This offense is considered less severe than reckless driving, which involves a more willful disregard for safety. The distinction between careless and reckless driving often depends on the circumstances of the incident and the degree of negligence or disregard for safety. Law enforcement officers have the discretion to issue citations for traffic violations, and prosecutors have the discretion to bring charges. However, it is ultimately up to a judge or jury to determine if the prosecution has met its burden of proof to convict a driver of the offense. Penalties for careless driving may include fines, points on the driver's license, and potentially other consequences depending on the specifics of the violation and whether it resulted in an accident.