Reckless Driving Link

California law defines Reckless Driving as "any person who drives any vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property." "Highway" doesn't mean just the freeways. It includes any public streets. Reckless driving is a misdemeanor offense which carries a maximum sentence for reckless driving is 90 days in jail and/or $1000 fine (plus penalties). Keep in mind that a conviction for Reckless driving will affect your driving records because it adds two points to your driving record.

In some cases, when police officers cannot charge Reckless Driving, they will charge a motorist with Speed Exhibition or Contests (Vehicle Code §23109). While there is no statutory definition of Speed Exhibition, the phrase basically defines itself. A speed contest can occur by squealing or chirping your tires, revving your engine, peeling your tires, accelerating quickly, etc.

A speed contest is a race against another car or timing device. Speed contests are often called street races. The District Attorney's Office may charge bystanders in a speed contest with "aiding and abetting" in the speed contest.

An Exhibition of Speed can be charged as either a misdemeanor or an infraction, but a Speed Contest can only be charged as a misdemeanor. Both offenses carry two points on your driving record.

The maximum penalty for a Speed Contest is 90 days and/or $1000 fine. However, you will also lose your license for a period of four months. Subsequent convictions within five years will increase the maximum to 6 months and/or $1000 fine.