What is Considered Reckless Driving in Arizona?
In Phoenix, Arizona, the ramifications of being pulled over and issued a citation for reckless driving go beyond the simple inconvenience of paying a fine. Unlike some minor traffic offenses where a citation can be quickly resolved by paying a penalty, reckless driving in Arizona is considered a criminal offense. The consequences can range from jail time to increased insurance rates if convicted. Given the seriousness of this charge, anyone facing reckless driving allegations in Phoenix should promptly consult with a knowledgeable traffic violations attorney to craft a robust defense and mitigate the potential repercussions.
Arizona's traffic laws, specifically its provisions regarding reckless driving, are defined in A.R.S. § 28-693. This legislation states that any driver demonstrating a "reckless disregard for the safety of persons or property" is guilty of committing the offense of reckless driving. An intriguing aspect of Arizona's legal stance on this matter is the ambiguity surrounding the term "reckless disregard." This phrase is not explicitly defined within the Arizona Revised Statutes, thus granting the court's judge or jury considerable leeway in interpretation.
Essentially, it's at the discretion of the judicial system to decide whether a driver's actions or behavior can be deemed criminally reckless. To better understand what constitutes "recklessness," you should view it as knowingly ignoring a significant and inexcusable risk.
In the past, Arizona courts have provided clarity on what might be considered reckless driving by upholding convictions in situations such as:
- Accelerating to dangerous speeds in zones bustling with pedestrians, where the potential for harm is significantly high.
- Blatantly ignoring road rules by driving against traffic either on a designated one-way road or on major highways is a clear hazard to others.
- Erratic maneuvers like swerving dramatically to circumvent a pedestrian legally crossing at a designated crosswalk.
- Utilizing a vehicle in an aggressive manner with the intent to menace or threaten other drivers or unsuspecting pedestrians on the road.
- Engaging in hostile driving behaviors like tailgating (following too closely behind another vehicle) or brake-checking (suddenly applying brakes to cause a reaction from the driver behind).