In the past few years Virginia law enforcement has put more focus on speeding, especially on major highways and in cities, according to the Virginia State Police. Minor speeding infractions can be an annoyance, but once a driver has crossed over into reckless driving, the charge and consequences can be quite serious.
Reckless driving can be categorized in offenses that involve speeding, visibility, vehicle control and carelessness. In the category of speed, reckless driving is driving at 20 mph above the posted speed limit, or speeding in excess of 80 mph, which can also be considered racing. Driving too fast for current road conditions can also be considered reckless driving. Visibility includes driving with obscured visibility or passing a car at the crest of a hill. Charges related to vehicle control involve faulty brakes or improper control of the vehicle. Finally, carelessness involves passing emergency vehicles or school buses that are in service, passing vehicles at railroad crossings or driving two cars abreast, or passing two vehicles that are running abreast on roads that do not have multiple lanes. Giving improper signals can also be considered reckless driving.
The state may charge reckless driving as either a felony or misdemeanor, resulting in a fine of up to $2,500, plus a possible year in jail. Often these penalties are reduced, and a judge may reduce the charge to speeding, but the charge of reckless driving does require a court appearance.
A conviction for either a felony or misdemeanor remains on your record for 11 years from the date of the conviction and garners six demerit points, which remain on your driving record for two years from the date of the offense. Suspension of a driver’s license occurs if the driver receives more than 18 points within 12 months or 24 points within 24 months. Attending driver-improvement clinics earns safe-driver points, unless the clinic was court-mandated. Drivers can earn up to five positive points each calendar year in this manner.
Individual insurance companies determine penalties for driver's insurance differently, so there is no universal guide to determine how a reckless driving charge or conviction will affect a driver's insurance rate. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles notifies insurance companies of point violations, so check directly with your insurance provider if you receive a ticket.
Younger drivers face more severe penalties for reckless driving. Any conviction of a violation that assigns points to a license requires that the young driver successfully complete a driver-improvement clinic or his license will be suspended. Young drivers have 90 days to complete the clinic. A second point-earning conviction results in a 90-day suspension of the license, and a third offense results in the license being revoked for one year or until the driver reaches the age of 18, whichever is longer.
