Can you defend against allegations of reckless driving?

On Behalf of | Mar 2, 2018 | Blog |

Most everyone feels rushed and in a hurry at some point during their lives. For exceptionally busy individuals, these feelings may happen multiple times a day. If you find yourself in such a predicament, you may want to speed up some of your tasks in the hopes of squeezing in more productivity during the day. However, if you choose to speed while behind the wheel of a vehicle, your life could slow down in more ways than one.

In addition to speeding, many drivers often carry out questionable maneuvers as they try to get to their destinations more quickly. However, you could end up pulled over by a police officer, and not only will your day face delays as you discuss the scenario with the officer, you could face additional hurdles if you end up charged with reckless driving.

Not just speeding

As mentioned, an officer could pull you over if your rate of speed exceeds the posted limit. If your speed did not go over the limit by a considerable amount, you may only face a traffic citation. However, if your speed reached 20 to 25 miles over the limit at a minimum, an officer could consider you a reckless driver. Of course, other actions could also constitute reckless driving, including:

  • Racing on public roads
  • Attempting to elude law enforcement
  • Trying to pass on a hill or other areas with limited views
  • Carrying out acts of road rage
  • Disregarding safety measures

These are just a few examples of actions that could fall into the category of reckless driving, and in many cases, the discretion of the officer involved may play a considerable part in determining whether you face charges. Most areas do not have specific details in their laws indicating which acts should be deemed reckless. For example, in Pennsylvania, the law indicates that driving with a willful disregard for the safety of others constitutes reckless driving.

Defending against allegations

Accusations of reckless driving are serious and could result in consequences such as fines or even driver’s license suspension if a conviction takes place. Luckily, you can defend against such charges in hopes of having them reduced or dropped entirely. Information on creating and presenting a defense against this type of traffic violation may help you determine your best courses of action, and utilizing local legal resources may help you ensure that the knowledge you gain is reliable.