WHAT IS RECKLESS DRIVING?

Whether you are in Leesburg, Fairfax, Manassas or any other jurisdiction in Virginia, Reckless Driving can take many forms. Below are the most common types of Reckless Driving that are charged in Virginia.

Known in Virginia Courts as “Reckless Driving Generally" Virginia Code Section 46.2-852 defines reckless driving as:

“Irrespective of the maximum speeds permitted by law, any person who drives a vehicle on any highway recklessly or at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of any person shall be guilty of reckless driving.”

46.2-852 is the broadest of the Virginia Reckless Driving Statutes and it is commonly charged in Leesburg and the surrounding jurisdictions

Virginia Code Section 46.2-862 (Reckless Driving by Speed)

Commonly referred to as “Reckless by Speed”  46.2-862 states:

"A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who drives a motor vehicle on the highways in the Commonwealth (i) at a speed of twenty miles per hour or more in excess of the applicable maximum speed limit or (ii) in excess of eighty miles per hour regardless of the applicable maximum speed limit.”

Whether on a small street in Leesburg or on Interstate 95, many people throughout Virginia are shocked to learn that simply driving twenty miles an hour above the speed limit or in excess of 80 miles per hour is Reckless Driving and is a criminal offense.

"A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who fails to give adequate and timely signals of intention to turn, partly turn, slow down, or stop”

 

In addition to these three forms of Reckless Driving, there are numerous other driving behaviors that are classified in Virginia as Reckless Driving, including but not limited to:

Virginia Code Section 46.2-853 (Driving vehicle not under control; faulty brakes)
Virginia Code Section 46.2-854 (Passing on or at the crest of a grade or curve)
Virginia Code Section 46.2-855 (Driving with driver’s view obstructed or control impaired)
Virginia Code Section 46.2-856 (Passing two vehicles abreast)
Virginia Code Section 46.2-859 (Passing a stopped school bus)

RECKLESS DRIVING IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE

As a class 1 misdemeanor, Reckless Driving is a criminal offense, and a conviction for Reckless Driving can have a devastating impact on people’s lives. Upon conviction for Reckless Driving, a client can be sentenced to as much as a $2,500.00 fine and up to 12 months in jail as well the suspension of their driver’s license.

In addition, a conviction for Reckless Driving can have a negative impact on a client’s security clearance, employment and auto insurance rates.

Attorney Thomas Rock represents clients in jurisdictions across Northern Virginia including: Loudoun County, Leesburg, Fairfax, Herndon, Prince William County, Clarke County, Arlington County, City of Alexandria and the City of Falls Church