Reckless Driving Defined by State
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 223
Likes: 1
From: Port Townsend WA
Reckless Driving Defined by State
State-by-State stats on reckless driving and min and max punishments.
Of note:
NM got the pic right with a vintage Corvette.
PA is obviously radar-targeting the Amish.
VA can send you up the river for not signaling.
And in my own State of WA, I can serve time for hugging my wife while going one mph over the limit.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/resea...-us/ss-AA9szB6
Of note:
NM got the pic right with a vintage Corvette.
PA is obviously radar-targeting the Amish.
VA can send you up the river for not signaling.
And in my own State of WA, I can serve time for hugging my wife while going one mph over the limit.
http://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/resea...-us/ss-AA9szB6
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
Have you ever thought how ludicrous it is that on the same road speed limits change just because you crossed an arbitrary line drawn on a map?
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Quite the variety of requirements between the states on reckless driving or excessive speed.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,008
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From: Tampa Florida
I received a ticket in Illinois when I was a teenager for spinning my wheels as I was leaving the local high school hangout. The cop couldn't ticket me for speeding so he gave me a ticket for "exhibition of speed". Who ever heard of such a thing?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Opelousas, Lousiana
CI 6-7 & 9 Veteran
It is hard to defined "reckless driving" but I know it when I see it. It does not always have to do with speed.
Last edited by crawfish333; Mar 26, 2015 at 04:31 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: USA
Ive ticketed many over 14 years for reckless and it was not always speed. However, everyone of them were reckless and deserved it, regardless of their legal argument some presented in court.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 2,903
Likes: 315
From: Cedar Falls Iowa
That MSN article had nothing specific about it. I read it yesterday and wanted 5 minutes of my life back.
For example, here's something specific to my state:
Not a lot of bad guys in Iowa. This means police are bored and you will be much more likely to get pulled over compared to say, South Florida where you need to have at least 3 "GTA Vice City" stars to get attention. I think a 10 over runs about $130 these days.
In Iowa I recommend to keep it 5 above or less. If you go 25 over or worse, don't get caught. You will get a ticket and you can lose your license unless you wanna attend driving school.
Stop signs mean stop. As in absolutely no motion for at least 1 second. I recommend 2 or 3 seconds in really small towns. 1/2 MPH does not count. You will get a ticket.
For example, here's something specific to my state:
Not a lot of bad guys in Iowa. This means police are bored and you will be much more likely to get pulled over compared to say, South Florida where you need to have at least 3 "GTA Vice City" stars to get attention. I think a 10 over runs about $130 these days.
In Iowa I recommend to keep it 5 above or less. If you go 25 over or worse, don't get caught. You will get a ticket and you can lose your license unless you wanna attend driving school.
Stop signs mean stop. As in absolutely no motion for at least 1 second. I recommend 2 or 3 seconds in really small towns. 1/2 MPH does not count. You will get a ticket.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
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From: SE VA VA
Reckless in VA also includes > 20 over, automatic reckless at 80mph, regardless of posted speed limit, chirping/spinning a wheel at any speed (including from a dead stop and pulling out into traffic from a side parking lot). Improperly adjusted brakes...IIRC, at 25 over they can confiscate your license on the spot.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2014
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The article doesn't mention this lovely Georgia law:
Georgia's 'Super Speeder Law' defines a Super Speeder as a driver convicted of speeding at 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or at 85 mph and above on any road or highway in the State of Georgia.
In addition to the fines and fees paid to the jurisdiction where the speeding offense took place, a $200 Super Speeder state fee is to be paid by the convicted driver. Failure to pay the Super Speeder fee within 120 days of official notice will result in the suspension of the offender’s license or driving privileges. Payment of a $50 reinstatement fee in addition to the $200 Super Speeder fee will then be required to reinstate their license or driving privileges.
Georgia's 'Super Speeder Law' defines a Super Speeder as a driver convicted of speeding at 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or at 85 mph and above on any road or highway in the State of Georgia.
In addition to the fines and fees paid to the jurisdiction where the speeding offense took place, a $200 Super Speeder state fee is to be paid by the convicted driver. Failure to pay the Super Speeder fee within 120 days of official notice will result in the suspension of the offender’s license or driving privileges. Payment of a $50 reinstatement fee in addition to the $200 Super Speeder fee will then be required to reinstate their license or driving privileges.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 16,376
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From: Should this thoughtful, valuable contribution meet with no acknowledgement or 'thanks' this post----
The article doesn't mention this lovely Georgia law:
Georgia's 'Super Speeder Law' defines a Super Speeder as a driver convicted of speeding at 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or at 85 mph and above on any road or highway in the State of Georgia.
In addition to the fines and fees paid to the jurisdiction where the speeding offense took place, a $200 Super Speeder state fee is to be paid by the convicted driver. Failure to pay the Super Speeder fee within 120 days of official notice will result in the suspension of the offender’s license or driving privileges. Payment of a $50 reinstatement fee in addition to the $200 Super Speeder fee will then be required to reinstate their license or driving privileges.
Georgia's 'Super Speeder Law' defines a Super Speeder as a driver convicted of speeding at 75 mph or more on a two-lane road or at 85 mph and above on any road or highway in the State of Georgia.
In addition to the fines and fees paid to the jurisdiction where the speeding offense took place, a $200 Super Speeder state fee is to be paid by the convicted driver. Failure to pay the Super Speeder fee within 120 days of official notice will result in the suspension of the offender’s license or driving privileges. Payment of a $50 reinstatement fee in addition to the $200 Super Speeder fee will then be required to reinstate their license or driving privileges.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 553
Likes: 55
From: West
I was busted under Georgia's SuperSpeeder law while in ATL for 3 days for a conference. Happened in a rental Prius down a long hill on the freeway. Caught going 99 and it cost me a grand. I damn near had to fly down there for court which would have doubled the cost. That same ticket in MT at the time was $60 and move along! It pays to be informed.
Note that although MT does not have a reckless threshold, they will not hesitate to slap one on you for excessive speeding in the rain, or while passing another car (even on 4 lane) etc. Even under the best of conditions, small-time judges in podunk county courthouses will say things like "everyone caught going over 100 gets a reckless in my county," even though state law does not support it. You will endure the time and cost of bargaining it down to a careless ticket and/or spending the time/money to win on appeal.
Note that although MT does not have a reckless threshold, they will not hesitate to slap one on you for excessive speeding in the rain, or while passing another car (even on 4 lane) etc. Even under the best of conditions, small-time judges in podunk county courthouses will say things like "everyone caught going over 100 gets a reckless in my county," even though state law does not support it. You will endure the time and cost of bargaining it down to a careless ticket and/or spending the time/money to win on appeal.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 10,742
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From: Marana, Arizona
The Arizona House just passed a bill setting the fine for speeding 10 mph over the posted limit or below at $15 and no points. Drivers would be fined for wasting gas (or diesel . . . or electricity), instead of being given aa actual speeding ticket, at a cost of several hundred $$. This, of course, will effectively raise the speed limit on all roads 10 mph.
Last edited by VETJAZZ; Mar 26, 2015 at 05:00 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,610
Likes: 427
From: USA
If they "want" to cite you? The average driver cannot drive 3/4 mile without committing at least one traffic violation. If they really "want" to write you a ticket its pretty easy.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Couple letter-of-the-law officers were writing speeding tickets for less than 5 over.
Judge threw them all out and told the officers not to bring those back in his courtroom again.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 4,610
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From: USA
Ya thats chickensh!+. I give ten mph over the speed limit. I stop at 11. For instance if the speed limit is 45, I wouldnt even conduct a traffic stop unless they are traveling 56.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
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From: Prosper TX
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 19,574
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From: Frederick, MD
Virginia is over regulated. They will also have you pay a fine for 3 years and I think they dont alllow radar detectors. What is it with the democrats up in Oregon/Washington not allowing hugging when driving? I guess they dont enforce it for motorcycles.