Exactly What Does It Mean to Drive Carelessly?

Matt Pinsker
4 min readSep 21, 2022

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If you break the law or disregard the rights of other drivers, you may be charged with reckless driving. Unsafe driving behaviors include, but are not limited to, speeding and other dangerous movements. Reckless driving includes things like traveling 80 mph through a school zone or on a highway covered with snow.

One who drives carelessly endangers other people and their property. This offense is a misdemeanor of the first degree. For driving recklessly, you might face a $1,000 fine and/or a year in prison. However, you can potentially be charged with the lesser penalty of “inattentive driving.”

Get in touch with a traffic lawyer immediately if you’ve been charged with careless driving. Most of the time, a careless driving ticket is accompanied by charges for other traffic violations like speeding, reckless driving, driving under the influence, evading police, or engaging in illegal street racing. And it might cost you in license points as well.

It’s not uncommon for drivers to get tickets for being too careless. The penalties for this infraction often include monetary fines, court expenses, and license points, and are heard and resolved in traffic court. License suspension is a possible consequence of reckless driving in variety of jurisdictions. Reckless driving encompasses a wide variety of actions, including but not limited to: not paying attention to the road and actively ignoring traffic signs and signals, and taking unnecessary risks.

The failure to exercise due care when operating a motor vehicle is a breach of the implied covenant of mutual respect. Careless or risky driving is illegal in the eyes of the law. If a driver knowingly endangers the safety of others or causes damage to their property, they are guilty of reckless driving. Driving recklessly is a misdemeanor of the second degree. A driver’s license will be revoked upon conviction. If you are convicted, the judge will notify the state’s DMV. As an added measure, the individual’s driving privileges will be revoked for a period of 90 days by the relevant government agency.

In Illinois, the law is very strict when it comes to careless driving. A driver is guilty of reckless driving if their actions cause the injury or death of another person. Twelve months in prison and a $2,000 fine are possible outcomes for a conviction. A license suspension of up to six months is possible as well.

Reckless driving is a major infraction in the Big Apple, and those who engage in such behavior should face consequences. These reckless drivers put everyone else on the road in danger by changing lanes without signaling, ignoring stop signs, and even driving on the sidewalk. Drivers who cause accidents should pay for the harm they do, as the results of driving recklessly can be very serious. Fortunately, there are legal remedies available to prevent dangerous behavior and compensate victims of accidents.

Injury or even death can result from careless driving. Causes of this sort of driving include, but are not limited to, moving at an excessive speed, following too closely, switching lanes without indicating, and passing on the shoulder. These behaviors endanger other motorists and frequently result in costly fines. For careless drivers, the penalties might easily reach the hundreds of dollars.

Although the legal definition of reckless driving differs from state to state, in most places it is understood to mean operating a motor vehicle with complete carelessness. Reckless driving also includes disobeying traffic signs and signals. Reckless driving is a very serious offense with a wide range of possible consequences.

If you are caught driving recklessly in the United States, you will likely have to pay a fine. Price tags for this can start in the hundreds and go well into the thousands. The driver could face probation in addition to financial penalties. The duration of the trial period can range from six to twelve months. In addition, the person’s driving privileges will be revoked for a set amount of time. A careless driving conviction can result in a license suspension of at least one month in various jurisdictions.

If you have been convicted of careless driving, which is a misdemeanor, you should not let it stop you from looking for work. The burden of proof lies with the prosecution, which must show that you were aware that your driving was reckless and endangering the lives of those on the road. Sometimes, the prosecution will have to show that you were committing multiple offences at once, such as speeding and lane switching. Getting caught driving recklessly usually means a year or more behind bars.

A conviction for reckless driving might increase your premiums significantly. Your insurance premiums might climb by as much as 66 percent. If the DRA charge increases, so will yours. When convicted of reckless driving, not only will your license be taken away, but so will your affordable car insurance. The stigma associated with reckless driving charges could potentially hurt your professional standing.

In New York, driving recklessly is not a felony penalty, but it is nonetheless a serious offense. Large fines, jail time, and higher insurance premiums are all possible consequences. The loss of driving privileges is a real possibility after a conviction for this violation. There are lawyers out there who have seen it all when it comes to reckless driving charges and can help you get ready for yours.

An increase in premiums may result after a conviction for reckless driving. Drivers who are careless usually aren’t trying to hurt anyone, but their reckless behavior can have serious consequences. It’s crucial to avoid getting a ticket for reckless driving because doing so can increase your premium by as much as 26 percent.

It is crucial to retain legal counsel if you face charges of reckless driving in New York. New York City’s criminal courts hear cases involving reckless driving, even though the Traffic Violations Bureau handles most traffic penalties. A lawyer can speak on behalf of their client with the prosecutor in an effort to minimize charges or the penalty imposed.

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Matt Pinsker

Matt Pinsker has shared vast expertise and experience with his students. Pinsker taught criminal law at Virginia Commonwealth University from 2013 and 2021.