Shae Reffel was towing a trailer carrying a van on Cardiff Road in Barry as he approached the junction with Palmerston Road, prosecutor Tim Naylor told Cardiff Crown Court.
The lights on Cardiff Road turned red, and a Ford Galaxy driver started pulling out from Palmerston Road.
However Reffel barrelled through the red light and hit the Ford Galaxy, sending it crashing into another vehicle.
The Ford Galaxy driver had just picked up her daughter, who was sat in the passenger seat when they were hit by Reffel, Mr Naylor said.
She said she saw her daughter’s head bang against the side panel of the car, and her daughter was left “crying” and “visibly shaken” by the incident.
Both occupants of the Ford Galaxy reported suffering “neck pain” and whiplash in the crash.
Reffel stopped further down the road and returned to the scene, where he was arrested. He was breathalysed by police and took a roadside drugs wipe – which both returned negative.
The defendant initially pleaded guilty to the lesser alternative offence of careless driving – which was rejected by the prosecution – but later admitted dangerous driving.
The court heard 27-year-old Reffel had six previous convictions for 16 offences.
William Bebb, in mitigation, said Reffel always accepted he was the driver and was assessed as having “genuine remorse” for his actions.
“The defendant recognises and understands the severity of the position he finds himself in,” he said.
“He knows that comes down to his own selfishness and rushing through.
“He knows the error of his ways.”
Mr Bebb said Reffel had shown a “marked development” in his “willingness, desire and determination” to change after he was last released from prison in 2024.
He added the defendant previously had a clean driving licence.
“Over the past six years, this is your third bout of serious offending,” said Judge Christopher Felstead.
“If you carry on like this in your twenties, it sticks, and I will just keep seeing you every couple of years on something else.
“This is your chance. You do not get another chance.”
Reffel, of Moorland Crescent in Beddau, Rhondda Cynon Taf, was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for 18 months.
He must complete 100 hours of unpaid work and 12 rehabilitation activity requirement days, and pay £1,630 in costs.
The defendant was banned from driving for 15 months, and must pass an extended re-test to regain his licence.
