New City Reckless Driving Attorney
When a driver operates a motor vehicle, such as a car, truck or motorcycle, in a way that unreasonably interferes with the free and proper use of the public highways by others, or drives in a way that unreasonably endangers others on the public highway, the driver may be found guilty of reckless driving. Reckless driving charges only apply to public highways, but a public highway is basically any public road. As such, virtually anywhere you drive, if you operate your car in a reckless manner, you could be ticketed, contact our New City reckless driving attorneys today.
Reckless driving is not something that New York law enforcement takes lightly. Not only is reckless driving a traffic violation, it is also a criminal charge. The offense is a misdemeanor that carries serious consequences, including:
- Tarnishment of your driving record;
- Points added to your driver’s license;
- Revocation of your driver’s license
- Increased auto insurance premiums;
- Fines; and
- Even possible jail time.
Reckless driving carries serious and long lasting consequences, which is why it is important that you consult with an experienced New York traffic violations attorney as soon as possible after being issued your ticket.
What Are Some Examples of Reckless Driving?
Reckless driving means that the driver showed a reckless disregard of the consequences of their actions behind the wheel in a way that was more than merely negligent. The driver’s actions must be a failure to exercise reasonable care or caution when on the road, or lack reasonable foresight that a reasonably prudent person would have in the same situation. To say this another way, the driver must have known and yet consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustified risk by driving in a reckless manner.
Reckless driving can take many forms. A few common examples of driver action that can constitute reckless driving include:
- Driving at an excessive speed in addition to other factors, such as weaving in and out of traffic, cutting other drivers off, going off the roadway, driving in the wrong lane of travel, etc.;
- Driving over the double yellow line into oncoming traffic; and
- Driving through a police barricade.
Usually, reckless driving is charged if a driver commits multiple traffic infractions that interfere with others’ use of the roadway, or that endanger other drivers. For instance, driving at a high rate of speed, in addition to other driving infractions, such as veering into oncoming traffic or veering off the road and not reducing speed, is a combination of speeding, plus other aggravating factors.
A reckless driving conviction in New York, New Jersey, or Connecticut is a serious matter, and you need to consult with an experienced New City traffic offense attorney if you want to fight the reckless driving ticket that has been issued to you. Let us help. Contact attorney Phillip J. Murphy today and let us begin working on your case immediately.
