Reckless Driving Can Result In Criminal Charges In Virginia

We often hear that drunk driving can lead to criminal charges. But even drivers not under the influence of alcohol or drugs can face criminal charges if they are caught driving recklessly. According to Virginia’s reckless driving statute, a person driving in a manner that endangers others’ lives or property can be charged with reckless driving, regardless of the legal speed limit.

Many driving behaviors can be classified as reckless driving. One of the most common forms of reckless driving is excessive speeding, which may mean traveling at a speed much higher than the posted speed limit (generally at least 20-25 mph over the limit), traveling at an excessively high speed or driving too fast in poor weather. Other reckless behaviors may include racing other vehicles on a public roadway, illegal passing, tailgating or running red lights.

Many drivers who are charged with reckless driving do not deserve to be convicted. It is important to develop a strong defense to the charges you face. For example, reckless driving cases often rest on testimony from witnesses and police officers who allegedly saw the driver behaving erratically. A thorough investigation into the facts of your case may help prove that the witnesses and officers’ testimonies were not credible.

Additionally, in some cases, the police officer may have used a radar gun to determine your speed. However, it is possible that the radar gun was malfunctioning, used improperly or was not properly calibrated, and therefore could not give accurate results. If you are facing reckless driving charges, it is important to understand how the law applies to the facts of your case, so you can make informed decisions moving forward.

Source: Virginia Law, “Reckless driving; general rule,” accessed on April 23, 2018