Reckless Driving and Racing

Under RCW 46.61.500, Reckless Driving is defined as “Driving with a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.” Often, this charge stems from high speeds, erratic driving, or other types of dangerous driving activities. Additionally, a person can also be charged with Reckless Driving under the “Racing” statute in RCW 46.61.530, which may apply when a person willfully “compares speed, maneuverability, or the power of one or more motor vehicles, including drifting.” Finally, Reckless Driving is also a charge that can sometimes be offered as a favorable negotiated resolution on a DUI case.

Reckless Driving is a gross misdemeanor offense in Washington and carries a maximum sentence of 364 days in jail in a $5,000 fine. A Reckless Driving conviction will also carry mandatory licensing ramifications, including a minimum 30-day license suspension and three years of SR-22 high-risk insurance. If a person has other traffic offenses on their record, a Reckless Driving can, in some instances, also lead to a driver being deemed a “habitual traffic offender,” which can lead to a lengthy revocation of a driver’s license for several years. For this reason, a Reckless Driving case should always be taken very seriously because it can carry long-lasting consequences even beyond a criminal conviction on your record. If you are charged with Reckless Driving, it is wise to speak with an attorney who regularly handles these types of cases.