When a driver gets behind the wheel of a vehicle, they are required by law to follow the rules of the road. Doing so not only ensures their own safety, but the safety of everyone else sharing the road with them. Drivers fail to do this when they drive recklessly. Under the New York State Penal Code, reckless driving is defined as an act that unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public roads or endangers the use of public roads. Actions that can be classified as reckless driving can include excess speeding, irresponsible lane changes, driving under the influence, and more When a person engages in this type of driving, they are endangering the well-being of others. This can lead to being pulled over by law enforcement to receive a reckless driving ticket.
Reckless driving convictions are taken very seriously in New York. Individuals who receive such charges can face harsh consequences as a result.
Consequences of Reckless Driving
There are certain penalties a driver may receive when they are issued a reckless driving ticket. This may result in 5 points on the driver’s record, leading to costly insurance premiums. If the person has already accumulated several points on their license before this offense, they may be required to partake in the Driver Responsibility Assessment. This requires them to pay a fine of $100 every year for three years. If the driver accumulates 11 points on their license within 18 months, their license may be suspended. This prohibits them from continuing to drive.
In addition to these consequences, reckless driving convictions are labeled as misdemeanors in the state of New York. If a driver is convicted, they can face possible jail time and a permanent criminal record. This has the potential to impact an individual for the rest of their life.
Combination Offenses
Drivers who are facing combination offenses have violated two laws at once. These offenses are commonly seen when dealing with reckless driving offenses. This may be if a driver is speeding 40 miles over the speed limit while they are under the influence. It may also be the case if the driver was going the same speed while involved in a criminal offense. When this happens, they can be charged with reckless driving in addition to the other law they violated, whether it be a DWI or criminal charge. These are very serious situations that can affect the rest of a person’s life. This is why it is important for an individual in this situation to contact a skilled attorney to work towards lessening the charges and consequences against them.
Contact our Firm
If you are in need of experienced legal counsel for a criminal defense matter on Long Island or throughout New York State, please contact Grunwald & Seman, P.C. to schedule a consultation and we would be happy to assist you.
