When shopping insurance, your driving record will be carefully reviewed and monitored. Begging the question of many drivers, “Is careless driving the same as reckless driving?”.
If you’ve been charged with careless driving or are wondering what types of charges to avoid to keep your insurance premiums down – this is the guide for you.
Keep reading to get the complete breakdown of careless driving vs reckless driving and how both can affect your ability to drive safely and protected.
Is careless driving the same as reckless driving?
Let’s start with the question on everyone’s mind. What’s the difference between reckless driving and careless driving? The intention and degree of disregard for safety are the main distinctions between careless and reckless driving.
Deliberate acts that demonstrate a purposeful disdain for the law and other people’s safety are referred to as reckless driving. Careless driving, on the other hand, usually results from negligence or inattention rather than a conscious desire to cause harm.
Careless and Prohibited Driving Meanings: More In-Depth
Now that you know that careless and reckless driving are in fact different, let’s go into what they actually mean more in-depth.
Although it is still illegal, careless driving is not as severe as reckless driving. It entails not using appropriate caution when driving an automobile, which puts other people inadvertently in danger.
Here are some reckless driving examples to better understand:
- When changing lanes, failing to signal
- Small-scale speeding
- Momentarily losing concentration while navigating the GPS or radio (swerving, etc).
As for driving recklessly, the definition goes beyond not using caution. It refers to a driver’s willful disregard for people’s or property’s safety. This conduct demonstrates a flagrant disregard for traffic laws and the possible repercussions of one’s actions.
Here are some careless driving examples to better understand:
- Overspeeding (usually exceeding the speed limit by more than 20 mph)
- Racing in the street
- Weaving aggressively in and out of traffic
- Running stop signs or red lights.
Reckless or Careless Driving: Legal Repercussions
The next thing to understand about reckless or careless driving are the legal and personal repercussions that can occur.
Reckless driving
Usually categorized as a misdemeanor, reckless driving can become a felony if it causes death or serious injury.
Among the penalties are:
- Heavy fines
- Time in jail
- Volunteering in the community
- Required driving education
- Suspension of license
A driver who is found street racing, for example, could be fined several thousand dollars, imprisoned for up to a year, and have their license suspended for six months.
Many points are frequently accrued for reckless driving infractions, which can raise insurance costs and possibly result in license suspension. For instance, a conviction for careless driving might result in a driver’s record receiving six points.
Careless driving
Penalties for careless driving are often less severe than those for reckless driving. Instead of being considered a criminal offense, it is typically considered a civil infraction.
Penalties could consist of:
- Lower fines or fees
- The driver’s license points
A driver who fails to signal a lane change and receives a $150 fine and three points on their license is a typical example.
Consequences for Insurance
Careless or reckless driving may impact your insurance premiums, but the former usually has a more significant effect. Because reckless driving is considered a more considerable risk by insurance companies, premiums may increase significantly. In extreme circumstances, insurers can even refuse to renew a policy or discontinue coverage.
Although the rise is typically less significant than reckless driving, careless driving will still result in higher premiums.
By taking defensive driving classes or exhibiting good behavior over time, drivers accused of reckless or careless driving may occasionally have their charges dropped or reduced. For example, a driver who takes a defensive driving course may have points taken off their license, which would lower their insurance costs.
Insurance companies may refuse to renew a policy or cancel coverage in extreme circumstances of irresponsible driving.
The Final Word: Reckless or Careless Driving
If you’re driving on the roads, whether in a car or an RV, it’s essential to understand the distinctions between reckless and careless driving. Although both are significant crimes, careless driving is caused by negligence and has less severe punishments than reckless driving, which requires intentional conduct.
If you want lower insurance rates, be aware of and adopt safe driving practices. Even better, get in touch with Happy Camper Insurance to see what deals our agents can drive for you.
