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What speed do you have to drive to be charged with reckless driving?
I was recently pulled over and the officer said I was driving 21 mph over the speed limit. Now I’m worried that I’m going to be charged with reckless driving as a result.
Sean Boehme · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We’re very sorry to hear about your incident. Waiting to find out what you will or won’t be charged with can be very stressful, but we hope that this information can help.
Each state has its own rules for reckless driving, so the speed that qualifies as reckless driving is going to depend on where you were when the incident occurs.
In some states, there is no set speed limit for reckless driving. In those states, reckless driving is based on the actions you take while driving, rather than just the speed itself.
Even for states that do have a set speed, that speed can vary. In New York, you have to drive 30 mph or more over the speed limit for it to be considered reckless driving, so you wouldn’t be charged with it.
However, In California, you only have to drive 15 mph over the speed limit for it to be considered reckless driving.
The penalties for reckless driving in most states include:
- A misdemeanor charge
- A fine ranging from $100 to $500
- Potentially the suspension of your license
- A maximum of 60 to 90 days of jail time
Going 20 mph or so over the limit is likely to be considered a mild reckless driving case if considered one at all, so it’s likely that you won’t face jail time if it’s your first offense.
While your license may not be suspended either, you can expect demerit points to be added to your record.
If you have a spotty driving record, you’ve probably noticed how hard it can be to find cheap car insurance. With the car insurance comparison app
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MORE: How long does a speeding ticket stay on your record?
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- Gregory R.
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