Virginia 46.2-833 May Soon Become Reckless Driving Violation

The Virginia House of Delegates on February 4 approved legislation that would make a rolling right-hand turn on a red light a reckless driving offense.

“Any person who drives a motor vehicle in violation of Section 46.2-833 is guilty of reckless driving,” House Bill 1993 states.

Under current law, Section 46.2-833, as referenced above, makes it an infraction either to turn right without stopping on a red light or to enter an intersection a fraction of a second after the light changes to red. The effect of the bill would be to change the penalty for a California stop into a class one misdemeanor carrying six license points, a fine of up to $2500, up to one year in jail and a six-month driver’s license suspension. US Department of Transportation statistics show that rolling stops rarely cause accidents.

Currently, Virginia Code 46.2-833 states the following and it is only a traffic infraction and a conviction will result in 4 points on your Virginia DMV driving record.

§ 46.2-833. Traffic lights; penalty.

A. Signals by traffic lights shall be as follows:

Steady red indicates that moving traffic shall stop and remain stopped as long as the red signal is shown, except in the direction indicated by a lighted green arrow.

Green indicates the traffic shall move in the direction of the signal and remain in motion as long as the green signal is given, except that such traffic shall yield to other vehicles and pedestrians lawfully within the intersection.

Steady amber indicates that a change is about to be made in the direction of the moving of traffic. When the amber signal is shown, traffic which has not already entered the intersection, including the crosswalks, shall stop if it is not reasonably safe to continue, but traffic which has already entered the intersection shall continue to move until the intersection has been cleared. The amber signal is a warning that the steady red signal is imminent.

Flashing red indicates that traffic shall stop before entering an intersection.

Flashing amber indicates that traffic may proceed through the intersection or past such signal with reasonable care under the circumstances.

B. If the traffic lights controlling an intersection are out of service because of a power failure or other event that prevents the giving of signals by the traffic lights, the drivers of vehicles approaching such an intersection shall proceed as though such intersection were controlled by a stop sign on all approaches. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to: intersections controlled by portable stop signs, intersections with law-enforcement officers or other authorized persons directing traffic, or intersections controlled by traffic lights displaying flashing red or flashing amber lights as provided in subsection A.

C. The driver of any motor vehicle may be detained or arrested for a violation of this section if the detaining law-enforcement officer is in uniform, displays his badge of authority, and (i) has observed the violation or (ii) has received a message by radio or other wireless telecommunication device from another law-enforcement officer who observed the violation. In the case of a person being detained or arrested based on a radio message, the message shall be sent immediately after the violation is observed, and the observing officer shall furnish the license number or other positive identification of the vehicle to the detaining officer.

Violation of any provision of this section shall constitute a traffic infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $350.

Virginia DMV & Points For Speeding

The Virginia DMV will assign points for speeding violations.

• Speeding 1 to 9 over posted speed limit in Virginia - 3 DMV Points
• Speeding 10 to 19 over posted speed limit in Virginia – 4 DMV Points
• Speeding 20 miles over posted speed limit in Virginia – 6 DMV Points

If you are worried about the Virginia DMV assigining points on your driving record for speeding, contact the SRIS Law Group Virginia traffic ticket lawyers for help. 

Our Virginia traffic ticket attorneys help clients fight speeding tickets in Virginia.

VIRGINIA RECKLESS DRIVING LAWS

There are many types of Virginia reckless driving laws. The following are some of the different reckless driving laws in Virginia:

•Reckless driving – speeding in excess of 80 mph (11 years)
•Reckless driving – speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit (11 years)
•Reckless driving – racing (11 years)
•Reckless driving – passing or overtaking an emergency vehicle (11 years)
•Reckless driving – passing a school bus (11 years)
•Reckless driving – passing on the crest of a hill (11 years)
•Reckless driving – passing at a railroad crossing (11 years)
•Reckless driving – passing two vehicles abreast (11 years)
•Reckless driving – driving two vehicles abreast (11 years)
•Reckless driving – driving too fast for conditions (11 years)
•Reckless driving – failing to give a proper signal (11 years)
•Reckless driving – faulty brakes/improper control (11 years)
•Reckless driving – on parking lots, etc. (11 years)
•Reckless driving – with an obstructed view (11 years)
•Reckless driving – generally (11 years)
•Speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit (5 years)

The Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will place a conviction for a reckless driving ticket on your record for a minimum of 5 years and in most cases, the conviction will remain on your driving record for a maximum of 11 years.

If you are charged with violating any of the Virginia reckless driving laws, you need an experienced Virginia reckless driving attorney to defend you.

The SRIS Law Group Virginia reckless driving attorneys regularly defend clients who have received a Virginia reckless driving ticket.

If you received a reckless driving ticket in Virginia, call our reckless driving lawyers for help.

If you are facing a reckless driving ticket in Virginia and you have other moving violations on your driving record including other reckless driving or speeding tickets, you should seek the services of a skilled Virginia traffic attorney. 

A skilled Virginia traffic lawyer may be able to help you avoid a negative administrative action by the DMV by possibly having the reckless driving or speeding ticket dismissed, reduced to a lesser offense or reduced to a non moving violation.  Also, if you have other traffic offenses such a reckless driving or speeding and/or a negative point rating on your Virginia DMV record, you may be sentenced more harshly than a person with positive ratings.

Contact the SRIS Law Group traffic lawyers for help. 

When you call the SRIS Law Group traffic attorneys, you will talk with one of our Virginia traffic lawyers the same day so that you can get the help and peace of mind you deserve.

Why should I hire a Virginia reckless driving lawyer?

What is a Virginia reckless driving lawyer going to do for me that I can’t do for myself?

Is a reckless driving ticket in Virginia so serious that I need to hire a Virginia reckless driving lawyer to defend me in court?

These are some of the questions a person asks themselves and friends when they receive a reckless driving ticket in Virginia.

To find out why it is important to hire a Virginia reckless driving lawyer if you have received a reckless driving ticket in Virginia, call the SRIS Law Group Virginia reckless driving lawyers for answers.

Our Virginia reckless driving attorneys have defended thousands of clients who have been charged with reckless driving in Virginia.

Rest assured, we can answer the above questions and any other questions you may have about a reckless driving ticket in Virginia.

Virginia law states that a reckless driving conviction is a Class One Misdemeanor Criminal Charge.  A Class 1 misdemeanor pursuant to Virginia law is punishable by a maximum penalty of 12 months in jail, $2,500 fine and loss of your Virginia driving privilege for six months.

There are many different types of driving laws in Virginia.  Therefore, it is very important to be aware of the different driving laws and the penalties associated with these Virginia driving laws.

If you have been charged with violating any of the driving laws in Virginia, contact the SRIS Law Group Virginia traffic defense attorneys for help.

The SRIS Law Group Virginia traffic lawyers assist Fairfax County clients and out of state clients with Virginia moving violations in Fairfax County (reckless driving, driving on suspended license, speeding tickets, DUI, etc.),

If you need help with any type of traffic violation in Fairfax County, contact the SRIS Law Group Virginia traffic attorneys for help.

The SRIS Law Group assists clients before the Fairfax County Juvenile & Domestic Relations District Court, Fairfax County General District Court & Fairfax County Circuit Court.

The SRIS Law Group traffic attorneys assists clients in the following localities of Fairfax County also:

Annandale, Burke, Centreville, Chantilly, Fort Belvoir, Fairfax City, Falls Church, Herndon, Vienna, Great Falls, Lake Barcroft, Lorton, McLean, Merrifield, Mount Vernon, North Springfield, Oakton & Reston.

Our traffic lawyers in Virginia have a thorough understanding of Virginia traffic laws and Virginia criminal procedure. Our traffic attorneys in Virginia ensure that our traffic clients receive the best result possible based on the facts of their individual case.

You can count on our knowledge of Virginia traffic laws.

I was driving down I-95 from Northern Virginia to Henrico and I was surprised by the number of Virginia State Troopers patrolling the I-95 corridor from Northern Virginia to Henrico & Richmond. 

Now I understand why we get so many clients calling us regarding representation for a reckless driving ticket. 

If you have been in the unfortunate position of receiving a Virginia reckless driving ticket, don’t feel like you are the only one out there who has been charged with reckless driving in Virginia.

A tremendous number of drivers get charged with reckless driving in Virginia everyday.  The thing most people are shocked about receiving a reckless driving ticket in Virginia is that they are facing a serious criminal charge. 

A reckless driving ticket in Virginia is a class 1 misdemeanor.  A class 1 misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of 1 year in jail and a $2500 fine.   Also, you can lose your license for up to 6 months.

If you need assistance with a reckless driving ticket in Virginia, call the SRIS Law Group reckless driving attorneys for help.

Almost all of our Virginia reckless driving lawyers are former prosecutors and one of us is even a former Virginia police officer.

Can I get out a of reckless driving ticket in Chesterfield, Virginia?

First and foremost, we tell our clients it is possible to get out of a reckless driving charge in Chesterfield, Virginia.  In some cases, our reckless driving attorneys in Chesterfield, Virginia can even get rid of your reckless driving charge in absentia (that means you don’t have to show up).

So if you have recieved a reckless driving ticket in Chesterfield, Virginia, don’t panic.  Our reckless driving attorneys in Chesterfield, Virginia will fight hard to defend you.  Also remember, in most cases, we can defend you against a reckless driving ticket in absentia.

Call us for help if you have recieved a reckless driving ticket anywhere in Virginia.  We have offices throughout Virginia.

How many points will the Virginia DMV place on my Virginia Driving Record for a Virginia reckless driving conviction?

The Virginia DMV will place six DMV points on your license. The list below shows how long the following reckless driving convictions will stay on your DMV record in Virginia:

Reckless Driving (Felony or Misdemeanor)

Speeding in excess of 80 mph (11 years)
Speeding 20 mph or more above the posted speed limit (11 years)
racing (11 years)
Passing or overtaking an emergency vehicle (11 years)
Passing a school bus (11 years)
Passing on the crest of a hill (11 years)
Passing at a railroad crossing (11 years)
Passing two vehicles abreast (11 years)
Driving two vehicles abreast (11 years)
Driving too fast for conditions (11 years)
Failing to give a proper signal (11 years)
Faulty brakes/improper control (11 years)
Driving recklessly on parking lots, etc. (11 years)
Driving with an obstructed view (11 years)
Reckless driving – generally (11 years)

We tell all of our clients that the judge has no direct control over the number of points the Virginia DMV will place on your Virginia Driving Record if you are convicted of a reckless driving charge in Virginia.

The Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) is the agency that places points on a person’s driving record for Virginia reckless driving conviction.