Arkansas Reckless Driving
Reckless driving in Arkansas is punishable by up to $500 in fines and/or up to 90 days in jail. Penalties are harsher when injuries are involved.
Written by Drew Waterstreet
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Reckless driving in
Arkansas
is punishable by up to $500 in fines and/or up to 90 days in jail, and the penalties will increase if anyone was injured. Convictions for reckless driving will also result in eight points being added to your driving record.Choosing to drive recklessly puts you and your fellow citizens at risk. Obeying the rules of the road creates a safer driving environment for everyone.
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How does Arkansas define reckless driving?
Reckless driving in Arkansas is a Class B misdemeanor and is defined as such:
“Any person who drives any vehicle in such a manner as to indicate a wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.”
To help you define what “wanton disregard” actually means, here are some specific examples of reckless driving behavior:
- Driving 20 mph or more over the posted speed limit
- Failure to complete stops at traffic lights and stop signs
- Driving without regard to road conditions (weather, construction zones)
- Failure to properly use turn signals
- Evading police or refusing to pull over during an attempted traffic stop
- Participating in any sort of racing, regardless of fault or cause
The basic rules of the road are designed to instill order and safety on the roads. Avoiding reckless behavior helps keep it that way.
What are the penalties for reckless driving in Arkansas?
Arkansas believes in justice for its citizens who are unfortunate victims of reckless drivers. The penalties associated with a reckless driving conviction in Arkansas depend on if you physically hurt anyone in the process.
All Arkansas reckless driving offenses will be subject to the following penalties of jail time and/or fines as well as eight
demerit points
added to your driving record.First conviction of reckless driving
Penalties for a first-time reckless driving offense that does not cause physical injuries include one or both of the following:
- Jail time: 5 to 90 days
- Fines: $25 to $500
Penalties for a first-time reckless driving offense that causes physical injuries include one or both of the following:
- Jail time: 30 to 90 days
- Fines: $100 to $1,000
Subsequent convictions of reckless driving
If you are convicted of reckless driving for a second or subsequent time within three years of the first offense, you will suffer increased penalties.
Penalties for a subsequent reckless driving conviction that does not cause physical injuries include one or both of the following:
- Jail time: 30 days to 6 months
- Fines: $500 to $1,000
Penalties for a subsequent reckless driving conviction that causes physical injuries include one or both of the following:
- Jail time: 60 days to 1 year
- Fines: $500 to $1,000
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How long do points/convictions stay on my record?
In Arkansas, a reckless driving conviction will score you eight demerit points, which will be reflected on your driving record for the next three years.
If you accumulate more than 14 points in 3 years, you will have your
license suspended
for at least 3 months.Key Takeaway: Keeping aclean driving recordis a lot easier than trying to clean up a dirty driving record.
MORE: How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?
Will reckless driving make my insurance go up?
A reckless driving conviction is certainly a red flag for insurance providers. The insurance provider typically counters their assumed risk with a rate hike.
On average, you’ll find that car insurance prices in Arkansas increase by about $555 after a reckless driving conviction. This is 38% higher than the
average rate of car insurance
in Arkansas.How to find affordable car insurance in Arkansas
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FAQs
Can you go to jail for reckless driving in Arkansas?
Yes. Reckless driving convictions in Arkansas can result in jail sentences. The length of the sentence depends on the severity of the offense and whether you caused physical harm to others as a result of driving recklessly.
What is the minimum penalty for reckless driving in Arkansas?
Reckless driving convictions penalize motorists with jail time and/or fines. The minimum amount of jail time is 5 days and the minimum fine is $25.
Can your demerits be removed from your driving record?
Potentially. You will need to contact the court handling your case or the Office of Driver Services to see if you can take a defensive driving course in exchange for a reduction of points on your record.
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