A Maryland Reckless Driving Attorney Helping You
Even though it is a traffic infraction, reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense that could result in significant fines and points on your license. If you have been charged with reckless driving, you should take the matter seriously and contact a Maryland reckless driving attorney for help.
A Maryland Reckless Driving Attorney Explains the Law
Under Maryland Statute §21-901.1, reckless driving is defined as the crime of driving in a manner that indicates a wanton or willful disregard for the safety and property of others. In other words, you could be charged with reckless driving if the police believe that you understood the risks associated with the way you were driving and simply didn’t care.
The same statute also defines a lesser offense as one closely related to reckless driving—negligent driving. Negligent driving is defined as driving a motor vehicle in a careless or imprudent manner that endangers any property or another person’s life. “Careless or imprudent” driving suggests that the driver perhaps does not fully recognize or appreciate the risks associated with the way they are driving.
Maryland Statute §21-901.2 defines aggressive driving as another offense closely related to reckless driving. Aggressive driving is charged when a driver commits three or more of the following offenses during the same period of driving:
- Running a red light or otherwise ignoring a traffic signal
- Immediately merging in front of a vehicle that has just been passed
- Passing on the right
- Driving outside of a single-lane
- Tailgating
- Failure to yield right-of-way
- Speeding
These three charges could potentially apply to any given traffic violation. And while the risk of incarceration is comparatively low, the consequences can still be severe. If you have been charged with any of these offenses, your best bet is to contact an experienced Maryland reckless driving attorney for a fair outcome.
The Penalties You Face if Convicted
Reckless driving, negligent driving, and aggressive driving are all misdemeanor offenses. If convicted, you could face the following penalties:
- A reckless driving conviction could result in a fine of up to $1,000 and six points on your driver’s license.
- A conviction for negligent driving could result in a fine of up to $500 and one point on your driver’s license. If your negligent driving contributed to causing an accident, you could get three points on your driver’s license.
- An aggressive driving conviction carries the same potential fine but could result in five points on your driver’s license.
Drivers charged with any of these offenses should be aware that they could face additional penalties if there are aggravating factors. Reckless driving is often charged along with other crimes, such as DUI. Drivers who are charged with reckless or aggressive driving will likely be required to enroll in a Driver Improvement Program. If you already have points on your license, your driver’s license could be suspended or even revoked. On top of all of that, your insurance premiums may increase significantly. A Maryland reckless driving attorney can review your case, discuss what you can expect if convicted, and help you understand your options.
Common Examples of Reckless Driving
It is important to understand that to be convicted of reckless driving; the evidence must prove that you were driving with wanton or willful disregard for the safety and property of others. In other words, there are no specific actions that constitute reckless driving. Instead, the charge may be based on various circumstances surrounding the offense rather than any particular action. All of that said, here are some actions that can lead to a reckless driving charge:
- Driving more than 20 miles per hour over the speed limit
- Driving while intoxicated
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Passing another driver stopped at a railroad crossing
- Driving in a manner that is unsafe for current weather or traffic conditions
Unfortunately, law enforcement regularly “overcharge” defendants for a variety of reasons. As a result, what would become a minor traffic infraction becomes a much more serious matter. If you have been charged with reckless driving, we recommend that you contact a Maryland reckless driving attorney who will fight for a fair result.
Charged with Reckless Driving? Call a Maryland Reckless Driving Attorney Today
At Timothy A. Dachille & Associates, we have been helping drivers fight their traffic offenses in the Baltimore area for over 20 years. We know what is at stake, and we know how to get a fair result. To discuss your case and your options, contact a Maryland reckless driving attorney today to schedule a free consultation.