RECKLESS DRIVING
While driving is primarily a convenient means to go about our daily tasks and at the same time an enjoyable experience, responsibilities come along with it so as to ensure that our driving rights and privileges do not violate that of the others.
Driving on the road mandates one to exercise maximum attention so as not to put the lives of others in danger. However, some drivers just are too careless and negligent that more often than not they cause not only chaos but also damage to property and worse, physical injuries to themselves and other road users.
Massachusetts state law basically describes negligent operation or driving as a criminal misdemeanor. Formally it is the act of “operating negligently so as to endanger the lives and safety of the public”. There are many minor and major influences that are also classified under the general umbrella term of negligent driving. It is close related to offenses such as reckless driving and driving to endanger.
Reckless driving and negligent driving
Reckless and negligent driving are two almost interchangeably used terms. Reckless driving is often defined as a mental state in which the driver displays a volitional disregard for rules and procedures causing accidents and damages. On the other hand, negligent driving is defined as such but covers wider aspects of driver’s behavior while driving such as external factors of alcohol consumption, drug use, and phone use. While the driver does not really intend to cause harm as in cases of reckless driving, his actions in one way or another cause accidents.
Below are some common offenses classified as both reckless and negligent:
- Driving too closely
- Unsafe lane change
- Phone use while driving (Texting, calls, GPS Maps, Social media)
- Drag Racing
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right of way
- any other acts that may potentially cause accidents leading to injury or damage to property
Penalties
Mass. Gen. Laws Ann. ch. 90, § 24 (2016) states that any driver convicted of engaging in negligent operation can be penalized with imprisonment for at least two weeks to not more than 2 years and/or a fine ranging from $20 to $200. An additional $250 is charged for the assessment of the case. Convicted drivers, furthermore, face a 60-day license suspension. A subsequent second offense within three years mandates a one-year license suspension.
What to do?
The consequences associated with reckless driving gives a driver tremendous inconvenience along with highly rates of fines. The best way to solve getting involved in this offense is by immediately calling for an experienced Boston traffic attorney. We can help you understand exactly how the law applies to your case and how we can help you resolve the pending charges.