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Is 20 over the speed limit reckless driving?
I just got pulled over for speeding and I’m worried that I might get penalized for reckless driving. I was going about 20 mph over the limit when I got pulled over. How fast do you have to be going for it to be considered reckless driving?
Samuel Todd · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Getting pulled over is never fun, especially if you don’t know what consequences you’ll be facing. When it comes to whether going 20 over the speed limit is reckless driving, the short answer is this: It depends on the context of your violation and which state you were driving in.
First, the context of your violation matters. If you were speeding and not breaking any other laws, you’ll have a better chance of getting off with just a speeding ticket.
If, on the other hand, you were committing another violation, you’ll likely get tagged with reckless driving. Here are some clear examples of reckless driving:
- Running a stop sign or traffic light
- Swerving into oncoming traffic
- Weaving through vehicles or unsafe passing
- Driving on sidewalks or protected zones
Second, the state that you were driving in is important. For example, if you were driving in Texas, going 20 mph over the limit would probably be considered reckless driving. But in Alabama, you would most likely only face a speeding ticket.
At the end of the day, most states have some leeway when it comes to reckless driving. If you were going 20 over, but it was your first violation and you weren’t endangering other cars, you’ll likely only face a fine for speeding. Still, it’s best to check your state’s exact law on reckless driving.
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