Difference Between Unlawful Speeding & Reckless Driving in Florida

Police officer

According to the Florida Statute, the purpose of the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law is to "make uniform traffic laws to apply throughout the state and its several counties and uniform traffic ordinances to apply in all municipalities." It is unlawful for any local jurisdiction to pass or attempt to enforce a traffic ordinance that is in conflict with the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law. The state of Florida has a numerous amount of traffic laws; unlawful speeding and reckless driving are two common infractions yet they are very different from each other.

Unlawful Speeding

Speeding Car

Per the Florida Statute and the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law, the driver of a vehicle is to control his speed as necessary to avoid colliding with any person, vehicle or other object. The statute states all mandatory speed limits; varying on different road types (i.e highways, local roads and residential roads). A driver in violation of these laws may be subject to a noncriminal traffic infraction and punished as a moving violation.

Punishment of Unlawful Speeding

Tickets

The punishment of unlawful speeding can vary. One form of punishment is points on a drivers license. The point system is as follows: unlawful speeding that results in an accident, six points; unlawful speeding 16 miles per hour over the posted speed limit, four points; unlawful speeding 15 miles per hour or less over the posted speed limit, three points. The point system has several outcomes; a driver's car insurance may increase and the driver's license can be suspended because of points. The driver's license suspension because of points is based on the following: 12 points within a 12-month period, license suspended for 30 days; 18 points within an 18-month period, license suspended for 3 months; and 24 points within a 36-month period, license suspended for 1 year. Another form of punishment for unlawful speeding is traffic citations, which result in fines.

Reckless Driving

Reckless driving

Per the Florida Statute and the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law, the driver of a vehicle who drives in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of people and/or property is guilty of reckless driving. There are different classifications of reckless driving, and each of those classifications are punishable in different ways. According to the Florida States, examples of reckless driving include fleeing a law enforcement officer in a motor vehicle and the operation of a vehicle that causes damage to property or a person. When a driver is charged with reckless driving, the court may classify that charge as reasonable cause to believe the driver has been using alcohol or another chemical substance.

Punishment of Reckless Driving

Jail

Per the Florida Statute and the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law any person convicted of reckless driving shall be punished. Punishments of reckless driving vary on the classification of the crime. The first conviction of reckless driving may be punishable by imprisonment for a period of no more than 90 days or by a fine of no more than 500 dollars. The second and all subsequent convictions of reckless driving may be punishable by imprisonment for a period of no more than 6 months and/or by a fine of no more than 1,000 dollars. If the court deems the reckless driver was using alcohol or another type of chemical substance, the driver may be required to complete a DUI (driving under the influence) program within a time frame specified by the court. Loss of driving privileges and fees may also be required of the reckless driver convicted of a DUI.

Unlawful Speeding and Reckless Driving

Police

While both offenses are serious and punishable by fees, reckless driving punishments are typically more severe than those for unlawful speeding. Some forms of reckless driving may even require court hearings and/or special programs that the reckless driver must complete.

References

• Florida Motor Vehicle Statutes
• Information for Florida Drivers License
• Speeding Ticket Fines