Virginia Raises Reckless Driving Speed

Speeding in Virginia is usually charged as a traffic infraction. Traffic infractions in Virginia are punished with fines, court costs, and automatic DMV demerit points (whether a person pre-pays a ticket or is convicted in court). However, speeding in Virginia can sometimes be charged as Reckless Driving, which is a crime. Many drivers frequently find themselves driving at high speeds that can be considered criminal and don’t even realize it. However, in July 2020 Virginia increased the minimum speed at which drivers can be charged with Reckless Driving.

Virginia Raises Reckless Driving Speed

Virginia Raise Reckless Driving Speed to 85 Miles-per-Hour

In July 2020, Virginia raised the minimum speed for a Reckless Driving charge from 80 miles-per-hour to 85 miles-per-hour. However, the other part of the law has not changed, meaning that a driver can also 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 under Va. Code §46.2-862 is a Class 1 misdemeanor. Reckless Driving is punished with up to 12 months in jail, a fine up to $2,500, and driver’s license suspension for up to 6 months. The Virginia DMV will also add 6 demerit points to a driver’s record after a conviction for Reckless Driving. The conviction will remain on the person’s driving record for 11 years, but will remain on the driver’s criminal record permanently and can never be expunged.

Fo more information on other Reckless Driving charges in Virginia, click here.

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