What Does Reckless Driving Mean According to Illinois Law?

 Posted on December 18, 2019 in Criminal Defense

Roadways are becoming more dangerous every year. Especially now entering the winter season, it is important for all drivers to travel safely and obey the rules of the road. Any action on the road that is noncompliant with the law can be considered reckless driving which leads to consequences.

Illinois law says that reckless driving is any act while driving a motor vehicle that blatantly puts others in danger of injury or death. These actions are enforced through traffic citations when police officers observe reckless behavior on the streets.

Examples of Reckless Driving

The law is broad when it comes to determining reckless driving. The simple act of speeding can result in reckless driving charges because if someone is driving too quickly, they can easily collide with another vehicle or a pedestrian.

Other examples of reckless and dangerous behavior include:

• Swerving between lanes - with or without indicating
• Talking on the phone while driving
• Lane changing with not enough space
• Driving through red lights or stop signs
• Speeding through construction zones
• Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
• Racing other vehicles
• Not yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks or school buses picking up children

The state of Illinois charges reckless driving as a Class A misdemeanor which leads to punishments of up to one year in jail, a fine of $2,500, or both. Also, a driver will not lose their driving privileges for one reckless driving conviction.

Illinois will not suspend a driver’s license until three strikes (moving violations) have been given against the driver in the course of one year. The exception to this rule is if a driver is under 21 years of age in which case the driver will see their license suspended as soon as a conviction is made.

Other Effects of Reckless Driving

A charge of reckless driving will add one point to a driver’s record which will then increase insurance rates on the driver’s vehicle. This makes paying for insurance every period more expensive, but the alternative is not having insurance which is another crime in itself.

As far as effects on the road go, reckless driving can cause serious accidents that can leave victims injured or even killed. A reckless driver will be required to pay compensation to the injured parties involved in the accident as well as pay for the damages done to the victim’s vehicle.

The most serious consequences come if a victim is killed during a reckless driving collision. The offending driver can be charged with vehicular manslaughter and face felony punishments of jail time and hefty compensation to the family of the deceased.

Contact a Chicago, IL Traffic Violations Attorney

It is always best to travel as safely as possible to avoid unnecessary collisions. Reckless driving leads to many different punishments, but having the help of a knowledgeable lawyer from Luisi Legal Group, P.C. can protect you from harsh consequences. To schedule a free consultation with a Chicago traffic violations lawyer, call our office at 773-276-5541.

Source:

https://illinoisrecklessdriving.com/law-penalties/