Source: https://novacriminalattorney.com/va-code-46-2-861-too-fast-for-conditions-in-virginia-reckless-driving/
Timestamp: 2019-04-18 17:24:10+00:00

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Driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions is a form of reckless driving in Virginia. The majority of reckless driving cases in Northern Virginia tend to be strictly speed related, unlike this charge. Stay on this page to read more about this specific category of reckless driving (more likely when weather is bad).
The most common speed-related form of reckless driving is easier to understand and interpret than, “driving too fast for highway and traffic conditions:” it occurs when an officer alleges the driver was speeding 20 mph (or more) above the posted limit, or in excess of 80 mph regardless of the limit § 46.2-862. The more common reckless-by-speed charge punishes pure speed with no regard to conditions.
Note: accidents not due to speeding unreasonably may be brought as a different form of reckless driving in Virginia: failure to maintain full control or inadequate brakes, among others. In the long run, the reckless driving type means little. The specific facts of each unique case dictate the type of sentence imposed.
The very shortly worded statute is sweeping in its potential applicability.
However, the breadth of the law allows ways for Virginia criminal lawyers and local Fairfax reckless driving attorneys to raise reasonable doubt. In poor weather, if an accident occurs the officer must rely on admissions and statements (and perhaps other evidence) because he/she did not witness the accident or the alleged unreasonable speeding. This puts the prosecution in an automatic hole. It does not mean you will automatically win, but it presents a unique challenge for prosecutors.
How is this offense punished?
This form of reckless driving is either a Class 1 misdemeanor (view statutory maximum penalties) or a Class 6 felony (view felony penalties).
If your case did not result in the death of another person, you should not be facing a felony. See VA Code 46.2-868. The driver’s license must be suspended or revoked, and the reckless driving must have caused the death of another person.
In cold months when snowfall is more likely, or wet seasons when visibility is decreased (i.e., fog), some unfortunate motorists will find themselves facing this Class 1 misdemeanor. Although just a misdemeanor, it may be punishable by up to a year in jail. Realistically, what can one expect? There is no blanket one-size-fits-all answer.
reasonable, and under the circumstances.
What does reasonable under the circumstances mean?
Weather may render the posted speed limit unsafe. Even in extreme cases such as driving 30 mph below the speed limit, the circumstances in relation to the driver’s speed could in theory, result in a reckless driving charge.
It seems as if much more deference is given to the testimony and/or other evidence of the conditions where and when the alleged offense took place. The speed limit may still be a factor for the judge or jury to consider in some cases.
If you are facing a reckless driving charge following an accident, a local Northern Virginia reckless driving lawyer can explain the criminal aspect. Many lawyers can also explain the implications the criminal case may have on a subsequent civil lawsuit against you.
(this does not mean dust, and dust alone, can obscure vision. A better reading of the case law here, would be to say that almost anything obscuring the driver’s vision triggers a duty to reduce speed).
Lack of evidence is one way the prosecution’s case might fail (or not be brought – nolle prosequi). If the only witness to the accident was the driver, and he or she makes no admissions to the police, then the case will be difficult for the Commonwealth absent evidence tying the cause of the accident to speed, given conditions at the time of the accident.
Sudden and unexpected situations may change the circumstances, but the courts would likely require some degree of dangerousness to justify or excuse the behavior, if otherwise reckless (or negligent).
1. This is a criminal charge and will result in a permanent criminal record, if convicted.
2. You may face suspension time (driving privileges).
3. Depending on the facts, jail time may be possible.
4. In some jurisdictions (Fairfax County is one of them), defendants are not generally permitted to talk to prosecutors handling the case.
5. Civil lawsuits (after the criminal / traffic case) could be influenced by the original charge outcome.
 Hudgins v. Jones, 205 Va. 495, 138 S.E.2d 16 (1964).
 West v. Critzer, 238 Va. 356, 383 S.E.2d 726 (1989); Faison v. Hudson, 243 Va. 397, 417 S.E.2d 305 (1992).
 Camp v. Bryant, 171 Va. 390, 199 S.E. 469 (1938).
 Twyman v. Adkins, 168 Va. 456, 191 S.E. 615 (1937); Reilly v. Dunnavant, 200 F.2d 213 (4th Cir. 1952).

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