Reckless Driving Penalties
Indiana’s Reckless Driving Laws and Penalties: The consequences of a reckless driving conviction depend on the circumstances. But the possible penalties are,
- Standard reckless driving. Reckless driving offenses that involve driving too fast or slow or unlawfully passing another car on a slope or curve are generally class C misdemeanors. A conviction carries up to 60 days in jail and a maximum $500 in fines.
- Passing a school bus. Where a reckless driving offense involves unlawfully passing a school bus, it’s a class B misdemeanor. Convicted motorists face up to 180 days in jail and a maximum $1,000 in fines.
- Reckless driving with property damage. Reckless driving offenses that involve property damage are class B misdemeanors (see penalties above). In addition to the other penalties, a judge can suspend the motorist’s license for up to a year.
- Reckless driving with injuries. A motorist who causes injury to another person while driving recklessly is guilty of a class A misdemeanor. The consequences of a conviction include up to one year in jail, a maximum $5,000 in fines, and a license suspension of no more than one year.
Reckless Driving and OWI Charges (“Wet Reckless”)
Indiana’s Reckless Driving Laws and Penalties: In Indiana, it’s possible for a driver who’s charged with operating while intoxicated (OWI) to plea bargain for a lesser charge. When an OWI is a plea bargained down to a reckless driving charge, it’s sometimes called a “wet reckless.”
When a driver who was originally charged with operating while intoxicated ends of entering a plea to a reckless driving charge, in addition to the reckless driving penalties, there’s a $200 “alcohol and drug countermeasures” fee.
