Traffic violations can be damaging legal problems for Virginia residents who count on their drivers licenses to perform their personal and professional duties. It can be difficult for individuals to meet their schedules when they must rely on public transportation to get them to where they are required to be. Losing one’s license due to reckless driving charges can affect many aspects of a person’s life.

Reckless driving is generally considered to be driving conduct that demonstrates a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of others. It is a greater level of wrongdoing than negligence. Whereas negligence may result in accidental harm, recklessness fails to account for the harm that may result due to the irresponsible actions of the actor.

In Virginia, a number of driving offenses can be considered reckless. For example, driving over 80 miles per hour on a road is considered reckless, as is driving at least 20 miles per hour faster than the posted speed limit for a road. On highways and interstates where the speed limit is 65 miles per hour, driving over 80 miles per hour would be considered reckless, even though it may be less than 20 miles per hour over the posted rate.

Illegal passing, such as of school buses, on railroad tracks, more than one vehicle at a time and on hills, may all also be considered reckless driving. These are only some of the driving actions that may lead to drivers facing reckless driving charges. In order to confront these charges head-on, drivers may want to get more information about criminal defense options.