Many impulsive decisions in traffic may constitute reckless driving under Virginia state statutes. Excessive speeding and drag racing on public roads are both examples of obviously unsafe behaviors that increase the risk of a crash and may lead to reckless driving allegations.
Other times, maneuvers conducted on impulse could potentially lead to allegations of reckless driving. A motorist trapped behind a cultivator or tractor moving slowly on rural roads might respond in a way that leads to reckless driving charges, for example.
Unsafe passing could be reckless driving
Passing a slow-moving vehicle is common sense, especially for those with someplace to be. However, passing multiple vehicles at once can be a dangerous decision and could lead to reckless driving charges.
When multiple vehicles have backed up behind a piece of farm equipment on public roads, a fast-approaching driver behind all of them might check for oncoming traffic, assume the road is clear and proceed to pass multiple vehicles and then the trailer in one maneuver. While that may seem efficient, it is quite dangerous.
Traveling for longer than is necessary in the wrong direction on a road significantly increases the risk of a collision. Drivers may not realize that their choice violated the law until they notice the flashing lights of a police cruiser behind them.
Learning more about what constitutes reckless driving and how the state handles different types of reckless driving allegations can help motorists avoid fines and citations that can affect their driving privileges, careers and insurance rates. Those facing reckless driving allegations in Virginia can fight those citations in some cases or work with an attorney to reduce the severity of a citation in others.
