Threshold for Virginia Reckless Driving Raised

Threshold for Virginia Reckless Driving Raised in 2020

Speeding in Virginia is normally charged as a traffic infraction. Traffic infractions in Virginia are punished with fines, court costs (whether the ticket is pre-paid or the person is convicted in court), and automatic demerit points. Many people are surprised to learn, though, that speeding can sometimes be charged as Reckless Driving, which is a crime in Virginia. A lot of drivers frequently drive at speeds which are considered criminal. Many also do not realize that the “ticket” they receive is actually not a ticket but a criminal charge. However, the threshold for Virginia Reckless Driving raised in 2020 and should help alleviate some anxiety and confusion for people driving in and through Virginia.

Threshold for Reckless Driving in Virginia Raised

The new minimum speed for a Virginia Reckless Driving charge (Va. Code §46.2-862) is 85 miles-per-hour. However, the other part of the statute has not changed, and a driver in Virginia can still be charged with Reckless Driving for driving 20 miles-per-hour or more over the speed limit.

Penalty for Reckless Driving in Virginia

Reckless Driving in Virginia is still a crime. It is a Class 1 misdemeanor, which is punished with jail time, a fine, and driver’s license suspension up to 6 months. The Virginia DMV also automatically adds 6 demerit points to a driver’s record after a Reckless Driving conviction.

Additionally, because it is a crime, a conviction will remain on a driver’s permanent criminal record.

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