What is a Reckless Driving Charge?

reckless driving

Driving around the streets of Kentucky may prove difficult at times, especially during peak traffic times. When you get an opening to get around the gridlock, the police may thwart your progress.

One of the vaguest charges you may face is one for reckless driving. Part of the confusion is it does not have a set definition in the Kentucky statutes. Learn more about what this kind of charge may mean should you stand accused of it.

Reckless Driving

Most laws have a clear set of circumstances that state what you did wrong. Reckless driving is not one of them. Instead, it often means that you have not adhered to the safe driving laws set out in the statute. Some examples of possible reckless acts include:

  • Tailgating
  • Quick and unpredictable lane changes
  • Speeding more than 15 miles per hour over the limit
  • Cutting other vehicles off
  • Racing

Wet Reckless Driving

A DUI is a serious charge, but when you engage in other unsafe driving practices, the police may charge you with wet reckless driving. This combines the two charges and ups the ante for your punishment. If this is your first offense, the judge may reduce a DUI to reckless driving. However, if you refuse chemical testing or have a BAC higher than .08, the reduction is unlikely.

Possible Outcomes

If you have a clean record and get a charge for reckless driving, you may not receive too high a penalty. Of course, the factors of the circumstance come into play when deciding on a punishment. If the police find you committing multiple unsafe acts, the judge may impose a higher fine or possible remedial driving. For subsequent charges, the punishment increases.

Understanding what a reckless driving charge may mean helps you decide how to mount a defense.