Often, a police officer will give a ticket for reckless driving along with tickets for other traffic offenses. Other offenses include speeding or driving under the influence of alcohol. A reckless driving conviction apart from any other charges means you will incur stiff penalties. Here’s a guide on the basics of reckless driving and how to fight these charges to keep your record and reputation clear.
What Constitutes Reckless Driving?
The charge of reckless driving is open to interpretation. If a law enforcement officer decides you were driving your vehicle in a reckless or negligent manner with wanton disregard for the safety of others, he may charge you with reckless driving. What exactly that means differs from case to case. However, a few behaviors are considered reckless in any circumstance, including but not limited to:
- Speeding. Going 25 miles or more over the speed limit posted in a particular area. This may lead to a reckless driving charge.
- Eluding a police car. If a police officer attempts to pull you over and you do not stop, you could incur a few different types of charges, one potentially being reckless driving. This is particularly true in cases where police have to engage in a chase.
- Racing other cars. Organized “racing” — which usually occurs at night on empty roads — is reckless driving. However, this rule also applies to cases where someone races another after a red light in normal traffic.
- Passing on a two-lane highway with low visibility. Reckless driving is charged if you pass a vehicle on a two-lane highway with little to no visibility of oncoming traffic. Unless an officer witnesses the behavior, reckless driving charges are usually brought when passing the vehicle causes an accident.
When to Contact a Traffic Ticket Lawyer
If you are ticketed for reckless driving, chances are you also have a ticket for another traffic offense. If you simply pay the fines associated with the tickets, you are essentially pleading guilty. As a result, your driving record, among other things, is negatively affected.
Contact the Kimbrel Law Firm today at 770-349-9219 for a consultation to discuss how best to protect your rights.