• In Virginia many laws that deal with reckless driving.driving 4 image by Andrzej Borowicz from Fotolia.com
  
  Reckless driving takes many forms, all of which are dangerous and subject to penalty by the law. In Virginia, reckless driving laws are spelled out in the state legislature's Code of Virginia Section 46.2. Penalties for reckless driving can range from a ticket to a suspended license and a fine. The worst penalty, however, is the potential accidents and injuries that can occur as a result of driving recklessly.
  
  

General Reckless Driving

• No matter what speed the motorist is driving, there are certain behaviors on the road that will be considered reckless. Any person driving in a way that could endanger life, limb or property will be charged with driving recklessly. This can result in a ticket and points on a driver's record.
  
  

Speed Limit

• The most frequently charged count of reckless driving occurs when a motorist is speeding 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. Any person who drives this much above the limit on any highway in Virginia will receive a ticket and accrue point on their driving record. Drivers who drive more than 80 miles per hour are also considered to be driving recklessly and may receive the same penalties.
  
  

Racing

• One of the most reckless forms of driving is street racing. Any person who is involved in a race, even if he is not racing himself will be charged with a Class 1 misdemeanor. If a driver is convicted of racing a car, his license will be suspended somewhere between six months and two years. If a driver injures someone while racing, he will be charged with a Class 6 felony and if the person dies, the driver will serve between one and 20 years in prison. The motor vehicle of the racer will also be seized and forfeited.
  
  

Improper Driving

• If a reckless driving charge has been made but the culpability (fault) of the driver is negligible, the charge may be downgraded to improper driving. This reduction can occur at any point before a decision is handed down by the court. Improper driving is punishable as a regular traffic infraction with a fine of less than $500.
  
  

Other Reckless Driving

• There are many different actions which constitute reckless driving in Virginia. These actions include passing on a curve or on the crest of a grade, driving with an obstructed view or driving a vehicle with faulty brakes. Some other actions are failing to give proper signals, failure to yield the right of way, passing a stopped school bus, overtaking and passing an emergency vehicle that is signaling and passing a vehicle at a railroad crossing.