Fighting Careless and Reckless Driving Charges
Guilford County Law Enforcement has wide discretion in deciding whether to issue a speeding ticket or a careless and reckless driving charge. You do not need to drive erratically to be charged with a C&R.
Our Greensboro careless and reckless driving lawyers are accustomed to fighting for our clients in and out of the courtroom. If you get ticketed for C&R, you need a professional legal defense team on your side.
Let us represent you. Contact us today to schedule your consultation with a dedicated traffic violations lawyer in Greensboro .
Aggressive or Reckless Driving, What’s the Difference?
Despite being distinct crimes according to North Carolina law, reckless driving and aggressive driving are frequently used interchangeably. Consequently, there is often some confusion surrounding these charges. Aggressive driving is the more serious charge. While reckless driving is classified as a lesser offense and is included in the charge of aggressive driving.
North Carolina Law § 20-140 defines reckless driving as:
Any person who drives any vehicle upon a highway or any public vehicular area carelessly and heedlessly in willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others shall be guilty of reckless driving.
Any person who drives any vehicle upon a highway or any public vehicular area without due caution and circumspection and at a speed or in a manner so as to endanger or be likely to endanger any person or property shall be guilty of reckless driving.
North Carolina General Statute § 20-141.6 defines aggressive driving as:
Someone who is both speeding and guilty of at least two of the following:
- Running through a red light
- Running through a stop sign
- Illegal passing
- Failure to yield right-of-way
- Following too closely
If you have questions about your reckless or careless driving charge, schedule a consultation with our Greensboro attorneys.
For a free legal consultation with a reckless driving lawyer serving Greensboro, call (336) 360-5528 today
Examples of Careless and Reckless Driving
Our Greensboro attorneys have handled careless driving cases involving the following causes:
- Failing to signal while changing lanes.
- Ignoring traffic signs or signals.
- Driving while distracted, such as texting or eating.
- Tailgating or following another vehicle too closely.
- Failing to yield right of way to pedestrians or other vehicles.
- Speeding in residential areas or school zones.
- Making sudden lane changes without signaling.
- Not adjusting speed to road or weather conditions.
- Improperly merging or entering/exiting a highway.
- Driving while fatigued or drowsy.
Causes of reckless driving tickets include:
- Excessive speeding well above the posted limits.
- Drag racing or participating in street racing activities.
- Running red lights or stop signs deliberately.
- Engaging in aggressive and dangerous maneuvers, such as weaving through traffic.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Engaging in road rage incidents, such as tailgating, honking excessively, or making threatening gestures.
- Performing stunts or reckless driving behavior that endangers other road users.
- Intentionally evading law enforcement by engaging in high-speed chases.
- Driving on sidewalks, in bicycle lanes, or in other non-designated areas.
- Passing in a no-passing zone or on a curve where visibility is limited.
Contact Our Attorneys to Learn How a Careless and Reckless Driving Charge Could Affect Your Life in Greensboro
A careless and reckless driving charge is a class 2 misdemeanor in North Carolina and could result in:
- automatic suspension of your license for 30 days
- up to 60 days in jail
- fines up to $1,000
- 4 points on your license
- possible license suspension
A charge of aggressive driving is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor and carries a greater offense than reckless driving. To learn more about the penalties you may be facing following your careless and reckless driving charge, schedule a consultation with a Greensboro careless and reckless driving lawyer from our team.
Call or text (336) 360-5528 or fill out our Free Case Evaluation Form to get started
