Know the difference between reckless and reckless driving

Whether we like to admit it or not, we are all guilty of trying to multitask when we drive. Cell phone use is probably one of the most common distractions we engage in while driving, and it is also probably the most deadly, but it is certainly not the only activity we engage in while driving that poses a danger to ourselves and others. Every day we see women putting on makeup, men looking at women as they pass by, parents raising Cain and fighting children in the back seat, or anything else among thousands of things that divert all their attention from the road. We often think, “Wow, look at that idiot. He’s going to kill someone,” without awareness or recognition of our own similar actions. After all, he is an idiot; We are just … occupied, right?

Again, we are ALL guilty of such behaviors, and if you haven’t had an accident, a traffic ticket, or some other incident as a result, you’ve been very lucky. Fortunately, most of us get our “wake-up call” before injuring ourselves, someone else, or destroying someone’s property. The unfortunate part of that wake-up call is that it usually comes in the form of a reckless or reckless driving traffic ticket.

The difference between a reckless driving ticket and a reckless driving ticket can be puzzling to the average driver. The most important difference to note is that a reckless driving violation is a misdemeanor, while a reckless driving ticket can result in an arrest and a fine. If you are charged with reckless driving in an incident that results in someone being seriously injured, you can be charged with a felony. With a careless driving traffic ticket, you will score points against your license and have to pay a fine, but that’s it. It takes care of your driving, but not your state of mind. This is because the police officer issuing the traffic citation considers it simply a poor choice; he or she does not feel that their actions were deliberately dangerous.

Reckless driving is clearly different in that you can face up to 90 days in jail, even if it is the first time you have been charged with this offense. This is because you are perceived to be driving without concern for the well-being of others on the road. In other words, you knowingly put other drivers at risk of injury from your actions. Because this is considered such a serious event by law, a second conviction can result in up to six months in jail.

As you can see, your behaviors influence how you will be charged, and there will also be other things that will be used to determine how you will be charged. Did the police officer stop you because they noticed you were entering and exiting traffic? Did you collaborate with the police officer or did you have a chip on your shoulder at the time? Since there is a progression of things from a law enforcement perspective when it comes to a traffic stop of this nature – careless driving to reckless driving to aggressive, which is considered the combination of two factors – appearing angry and aggressive. when you are stopped it can be detrimental to the outcome of the traffic stop. As mentioned above, if you are charged with reckless driving, these factors can make the outcome a lot worse for you, especially if you decide to fight your traffic ticket in court (which you should always do). Once the police officer tells the judge or hearing officer that he observed you were engaging in Type X driving behavior and then was hostile to him when he pulled you over, the chances of the judge letting you go with ease are pretty slim. It is true that you cannot be charged with aggressive driving in Florida, but the concept of aggressive driving can certainly be used to determine how the charge will be written: careless or reckless.

We’ve all heard the expression “Attitude is everything.” Over time, I have found that to be very true and not just when it comes to issuing a ticket for reckless or reckless driving, so be sure to maintain a pleasant disposition when pulled over by a police officer, no matter the reason. If you are participating in an activity that takes your attention away from your driving and is pulled over, it is essential to stay positive if you expect to be left with the least load. Of course, cell phone use will be more difficult to sell these days than something like converting the radio station because there has been a lot of controversy recently in the media about the safety of its use while driving. However, this shouldn’t stop you from remembering to be polite and never admit to being reckless. In my experience, like judges, police officers tend to be intolerant of excuses for breaking traffic laws.

Keep in mind that regardless of the region you drive in, there are likely hundreds, if not thousands, of law enforcement officials whose job it is to find drivers who don’t pay as much attention to their driving as they should. No matter the number, it just takes a police officer, a sheriff’s deputy, or a highway patrol officer to see you driving distracted to complicate your life a bit. Stay focused on your driving because the cards are against you. This is a very good reason why you should always seek the advice of a good traffic ticket attorney.

If you receive a traffic citation for reckless or reckless driving, call me for a free consultation at 967-954-9888. We can help you determine not only what charge you are likely to face, but also design a good defense in court so that you can get a reckless driving charge reduced to reckless driving. Even better, we may even be able to have the traffic ticket dismissed entirely.

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