Source: https://traffictickets.com/new-york/traffic-tickets/reckless-driving-vtl-1212/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 03:49:46+00:00

Document:
Last Updated: 7/6/18 | Reviewed By: Adam H. Rosenblum Esq.
What Are the Penalties for Reckless Driving in New York?
Depending on how dangerous the actions are, a driver charged with reckless driving could go to jail for up to 30 days for a first offense, 90 days for a second offense, and 180 days for a third offense. Aside from the criminal penalties, a reckless driving conviction will put 5 points on a driver’s license and result in a fine of up to $300 for a first offense.
Criminal record: Reckless driving is more than a moving violation—it is a misdemeanor offense. A conviction means having a permanent criminal record. This could be a barrier to finding or keeping a job, and could affect other aspects of one’s life, including access to housing, acceptance to colleges, and financial aid. It could even affect one’s immigration status.
Jail time: The risk of going to jail over a reckless driving ticket is higher than with most moving violations. Drivers who are convicted of reckless driving could spend up to 30 days in jail for a first offense, 90 days in jail for a second offense, and 180 days in jail for a third offense.
Fines: Someone convicted of reckless driving in New York will pay a fine of $100 to $300 for a first offense. A second offense in 18 months will cost $100 to $525. A third conviction can result in a fine of $100 to $1,125.
Surcharges: In addition to the fine, a reckless driving ticket includes a state surcharge of $88 or $93, depending on where it was issued.
Driver Responsibility Assessment Fee (DRA): Drivers convicted of six or more points worth of violations within an 18-month period will be hit with a fine known as the Driver Responsibility Assessment fee (DRA). This is separate from the surcharges and fines associated with the ticket and is paid directly to the DMV. A DRA costs $300 plus an additional $75 for each point after six. Since reckless driving is worth five points, it only takes one additional moving violation to end up paying a DRA.
Points: The New York DMV will assess 5 points for each reckless driving conviction.
Auto insurance premium increases: Most moving violations will impact a drivers’ premiums. Some studies have found that a reckless driving conviction can cause a rate increase of 76 percent! Since reckless driving is a criminal offense, the ticket can also increase premiums for one’s life insurance and homeowner’s insurance.
Risk of license suspension: Reckless driving carries a serious risk of a license suspension. Any NY judge can suspend a person’s driving privileges if they feel the person deserves it based on their actions. Driving recklessly could be such a basis. In addition, drivers who are assessed 11 points or more will have their license suspended by the DMV. This can happen to any driver who has already been or later is convicted of two three-point offenses (e.g. red light tickets) or one six-point ticket (e.g. speeding 21 mph over the limit) in addition to the 5 point reckless driving ticket.
A driver can be convicted of reckless driving in New York for driving a vehicle in a way that “unreasonably interferes” with the use of the public highway, or which “unreasonably endangers” other drivers, cyclists, or pedestrians. Police have wide latitude regarding what can be considered reckless driving. For a charge to be upheld in court the prosecutor must demonstrate that the driver was acting in a way that showed disregard for the safety of others in a way that a rational person would not have done.
Driving off the road while going at an excessive speed and making no effort to slow down in the presence of pedestrians (see People v. Goldblatt, 98 A.D.3d 817).
Running through a police barricade (see People v. Patterson, 23 Misc.2d 182).
Driving onto an exit ramp and then making a U-turn across three lanes of traffic before colliding into another vehicle (see People v. McGrantham, 12 N.Y.3d 892).
Crossing the centerline into the path of an oncoming traffic at a high rate of speed and crashed into another vehicle (see People v. Armlin, 6 N.Y.2d 231).
Ingesting drugs or alcohol before getting behind the wheel and subsequently committing one or more traffic violations or causing an accident (see People v. Bohacek, 95 A.D.3d 1592).
Reckless driving (VTL 1212) is considered to be one of the most serious tickets a person can receive. Reckless driving is unlike most other traffic tickets because it counts as a misdemeanor (crime) in New York. That means, unlike speeding tickets, a reckless driving carries the risk of a jail sentence. This, plus the high fines and point value of the ticket and the potential for significant auto insurance increases makes it imperative that a person hire a qualified NY traffic ticket attorney to fight a reckless driving charge. A skilled attorney can assess the evidence of the case surrounding the reckless driving charge and develop a defense strategy that can potentially get the charge reduced to a more common traffic ticket (such as speeding or improper turn).
Fighting a ticket for reckless driving in NY can be more challenging than a regular ticket. Since VTL 1212 is considered a criminal matter, it will usually require an appearance in court. More importantly, judges and district attorneys are less flexible when negotiating a criminal offense like reckless driving.
Due to the severity of these penalties, it is absolutely vital to familiarize oneself with a few of the common defenses used to prevent a conviction for reckless driving from staining one’s driving record.
In order to be convicted of reckless driving, the prosecution must provide evidence showing more than mere negligence. Similarly, determining whether conduct rises to the level of “unreasonable interference” or “endangerment” requires the presence of “additional aggravating acts or circumstances beyond a single violation of a rule of the road.” (see People v. Goldblatt, 98 AD 3d 817).
Based on this, a good defense NY traffic ticket attorneys raise is that there were no additional “aggravating acts” beyond the bounds of a mere traffic violation. For example, if the defense attorney is able to prove that all the driver did was violate a speeding or lane change law without engaging in any erratic or out-of-the-ordinary conduct, the driver will likely be able to get the reckless driving charge dismissed or greatly lowered.
Additionally, a more obvious—though equally valid—defense against VTL 1212 is that the driver was in fact driving reasonably. This of course presumes that the driver was not drinking and driving, swerving along the entire road, and/or driving erratically. Nevertheless, a smart attorney will use the exact language of the statute to argue that the driver was not endangering anyone else on the road and/or he/she was driving reasonably given the circumstances.
Lastly, police misconduct or a blatant abuse of power may also be a factor in an attorney’s defense. Although this will not usually sway a judge to dismiss a reckless driving charge (and is not always believed by the judge), this defense can seriously mitigate the punishment if solid proof is proffered.
The case law in New York reveals a very interesting insight into convictions for VTL 1212. Usually, engaging in multiple traffic violations will amount to reckless driving (see People v Grogan, 260 NY 138).
Additionally, if those infractions would be considered dangerous to the average individual, a judge will likely find the driver guilty (see People v Lamphear, 35 AD2d 305).
For example, in People v. Bohacek, 95 AD 3d 1592, a woman’s car crossed over into the oncoming lane of traffic and collided with another vehicle. If the story ended there, he would have been dealing with a run-of-the-mill negligence case, not reckless driving.
However, the driver of the other vehicle was killed instantly, and a blood test revealed that the woman who swerved into the other lane was on drugs at the time. With these facts on the table, due to the combined unreasonableness of: 1) driving while on drugs, 2) swerving into oncoming traffic, and 3) being the cause of a fatal car crash, there is no doubt why the judge ruled that this amounted to reckless driving.
Likewise, just swerving in and out of lanes will not constitute reckless driving. However, if the driver hits a car while swerving, it usually will (see People v. Van De Cruze, 2012 NY Slip Op 51378).
The difference between getting slapped with a routine traffic ticket and one for reckless driving appears to be in the compounded nature of the conduct as well as how dangerous it ultimately was. Download a free copy of our Reckless Driving ebook.
Many drivers mistakenly believe that being licensed in a state other than New York means they can ignore NY traffic tickets. The fact is New York and most other states sharing information about each other’s drivers. As such, a charge of reckless driving issued in New York can and will follow an out-of-state driver home. More importantly, because reckless driving is a criminal offense, not only will one’s driving record be tarnished but the driver will also have a criminal record that will show up in any kind of basic background check, regardless of where the person lives.
How fast is considered reckless driving in New York?
There is no formal speed that is considered to be reckless per se. However, excess speed in combination with any number of other factors can be grounds for a reckless driving charge. Generally speaking, an officer will issue a ticket for reckless driving if a driver is acting in a way that is considered unreasonable and either endangers others or prohibits use of the roadway.
Is reckless driving a felony in New York?
No. Reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor in New York. While less serious than a felony, a misdemeanor conviction can still result in jail time, heavy fines, and a permanent criminal record.
How long does a reckless driving conviction stay on one’s license?
A reckless driving conviction will stay on a New York driving record for three years. However, the misdemeanor conviction will remain on one’s criminal record forever.
The term “wet reckless” is not usually used in New York. Other states use the term to mean a plea bargain under which a DWI is reduced to a reckless driving charge. New York, however, has tight limits on plea bargains for DWI cases. In fact, it is not uncommon for drivers to be charged with both DWI and reckless driving—or aggravated reckless driving—depending on the circumstances.
Percival – Please be advised that reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense, which can not be expunged in NY. I strongly suggest that you contest this violation to prevent this incident from impacting your record.
Two different tickets on two different occasions.
1st reckless driving Bronx. Officers blocked traffic mistake his commands went around for a brief 10 yards back into the land. Made the first right. Looked back guess who with ticket hand ready.
Rahshawn – Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense that, if found guilty, will permantly stay on your record. The 76/40 – an 8 point ticket, carries substantial fines, assessment fees, and insurance implications. Due to the potential consequences of these tickets, I strongly suggest you contact us to discuss your options.
I was on a highway in the Bronx NY and exited through a highway ramp due to major traffic on the highway.
Jason – due to the serious consequences of this misdemeanor violation, I strongly suggest you contact us to discuss further. You may reach us at 888-883-5529.
I was driving my son to the airport, a cop pulls me over, “the reason I stopped you is because you have illegal tint on the windows”, I told him this is how I got the car and am sure the dealer wouldn’t do it too dark, he said this was not done by the manufacturer (and is positive thatnif he would color test it, it would fail) and since I was operating the vehicle w illegal tint..he has to issue a summons.
He went back to his car, meanwhile my wife went out towards his car, they started shouting get back into your car…which she did, and this officer came to my window and started yelling at my wife, so she told him, I just wanted to tell you that we are on our way to the airport, so he should please be mindful of that. .. he walks away and tells us sarcastically, yes, now I will really be mindful.
Anyway, he came back with a summons folded with the lic, reg, ins. And says, I did not give you a moving violation, just a tint summons, so you can just send in payment or go to court if you really want to fight it.
I thanked him politely and drove off (as I was already late for the flight ).
At the next red light I look at the ticket and it IS A MOVING VIOLATION FOR RECKLESS DRIVING.!!!!
(besides getting a dash cam ).
Due to the serious and criminal nature of this violation, I strongly suggest you contact us immediately. NY does not have any avenues for expungements of criminal offenses.
i got a ticket from criminal court and its said reckless driving.
In order to futher assist you – we need the name of the specific court. Generally speaking, however, reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense that carries significant penalties, along with a criminal record.
I’ve got a traffic incident on May 28.
We need more information in order to provide you with any assistance.
My son who just turned 18 was pulled over for speeding, 96 in a 55 zone, which I find hard to believe. Anyway the officer demanded my son tell him who his friend was that he was racing. We had just left a family function and he was driving home alone and was not racing anyone, just wanted to get home and explained this to the officer and told him that he didn’t realize he was going that fast. By the time I got to him the officer gave him 3 tickets, speeding, changing lanes without signaling and reckless driving. I’m worried that the reckless driving misdemeanor is going to hurt him now with going to college and getting jobs in the future. Is there a way to plea bargain down these charges? He’s very upset and thinks he’s going to do jail time. He’s a good kid who wasn’t paying attention. I’m just glad he’s okay, I’m just worried about his future.
Ken – there is a way to plead bargain these charges. Because of the serious nature of these offenses, I strongly suggest you contact us to discuss further. You may reach us for a free consultation at 888-883-5529.
I received a moving violation ticket for reckless driving in lower Manhattan. I was simply making a U turn thinking I was allowed where it happened ( Delancey and Christie Street), and along the whole stretch of Delencey street there were many traffic signs posted telling you where you can, and can not make certain turns. Since I didn’t see any No U turn signs, I thought my action were legal. I was in the left lane with the light green. I waited for the on coming traffic to clear before proceed with my turn. The whole time my action didn’t cut any other motorist off, I didn’t cause any traffic to stop, and I didn’t make any erratic movement. I think the police officer gave me a “reckless driving” ticket because I pleaded with her by telling her that I was allow to make the U turn at that intersection because there was not signs telling me I can’t (I guess I am wrong now that I research the law a little better). Initially, I ask the officer what was my offense and she told me I was making a U turn. Please also note that I spoke with the officer with a calm and respectful tone.
Hello Peter, receiving a ticket for reckless driving is very severe. This is a 5 point ticket with a maximum fine of $300. However, reckless driving is considered a crime in New York. You may face up 30 days in jail and this will never get removed from your record. You will also face a very high increase in your insurance rates. Our suggestion to you is pleading not guilty and obtaining counsel. You can contact our office to find out how we would be able to assist in having your offense reduced. We can be reached at 888-883-5529 for a free consultation.
A few weeks ago, I was driving in Washington Heights and received a ticket for reckless driving. The scenario was that I was driving southbound on audobon avenue (one lane for each direction), when the car in front of me seemed to be preparing to double park, so I slowly started moving around the vehicle. Suddenly the car sped up leaving me stuck on the northbound side of the road as traffic began to approach. The first car in the line was a cop. I didn’t think anything of it, but as I was crossing the intersection of West 186th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, the cop car came barrelling down 186th street and subsequently pulled me over. The cop claimed I almost hit him. The vehicle I was driving was a gift, given to me and my wife from my wifes uncle. and we had just switched insurance, and it was taking me a while to find the new insurance card. Instead he took the old insurance card and my license. He came back with a ticket for reckless driving stating I needed to be in court by 1-14-16. What do I do?
David – reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense that carries substantial fines and penalties. I strongly suggest you contact us to discuss in further detail.
Kevin – We will be more than happy to help you fight this 13 point ticket. You may contact us for a free consultation.
In order to assist you, I need to know what you are being charged with, and what court has jurisdiction over your case.

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