What is Considered Reckless Driving in Lancaster, South Carolina?

February 22, 2024

Traffic Offenses

What is Reckless Driving in Lancaster, South Carolina?

Reckless driving is one of the few traffic offenses that can be punished with time in jail. While most traffic offenses are punishable by fines and points on your license, reckless driving is considered a misdemeanor.

Attorney Barboza of Barboza Law has extensive experience defending against traffic violations and criminal charges. If you have been charged with reckless driving, it is important to have a traffic offense lawyer in Lancaster, SC, by your side. We can help you understand your rights, explore your options, and create a strategy to protect your best interests.

What Constitutes a Reckless Driving Charge in Indian Land and Lancaster?

It is important to understand the difference between reckless driving and other driving offenses. For a behavior to be considered “reckless driving,” it must be a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.

For example, the following behaviors are considered reckless under South Carolina law:

Excessive Speeding
Disregarding traffic lights and signs
Driving on the wrong side of the road
Failing to yield the right of way
Driving too close (i.e., tailgating)
Illegally passing other vehicles
Daredevil behaviors (e.g., car surfing,
Weaving in and out of traffic
Street racing

What constitutes reckless driving depends on the circumstances. Driving fatigued may be negligent but not necessarily reckless. However, if a motorist is aware they are falling asleep at the wheel and continues driving, that negligence becomes willful.

South Carolina Ranks Second for Most Dangerous State for Drivers

According to a recent article in Forbes Advisor, South Carolina has ranked as the second most dangerous state for driving in the nation. Forbes Advisor gave South Carolina a danger score of 41.8 out of 50. The research team concentrated on 4 key metrics when determining the most dangerous states for drivers, including:

The percent change in traffic fatalities over the last few years
The total number of crash-related deaths
The number of fatal car accidents per capita
The percentage of traffic accidents due to negligent driving

The data shows the most contributing factor to driver danger is reckless driving. According to the study:

South Carolina tops the rank for the most fatal collisions caused by speeding
46% of road deaths are due to excessive speeding
Traffic fatalities have increased by 6% in the state

Over the years, the state has landed on multiple top ten lists for dangerous and deadly roads. The pressure is on law enforcement to deter reckless driving, leading to an increase in traffic citations and arrests.

Is Reckless Driving a Criminal Offense in Lancaster, SC?

Reckless driving is a criminal offense in Lancaster and Indian Land, SC. Generally, reckless driving is charged as a misdemeanor and carries the following penalties:

A fine of up to $200
3-month suspended license
Six points on your driver’s license
A maximum jail sentence of up to 30 days

Tragically, sometimes reckless driving ends in someone’s death. Reckless vehicular homicide is a felony in South Carolina, carrying a prison sentence of up to 10 years. However, having a Lancaster criminal defense lawyer by your side can significantly impact your case.

Why Do I Need a Reckless Driving Defense Attorney in Lancaster, SC?

Reckless driving is often prosecuted harshly in South Carolina. You need skilled representation to fight for your best interests.

A defense attorney for traffic offenses in Lancaster can help you understand the charges and explore your available options. At Barboza Law, we will walk you through the process and aggressively fight on your behalf. Having experienced representation will give you the peace of mind that someone is protecting your rights.