West Virginia's Reckless Driving Laws and Penalties

Read about West Virginia’s reckless driving laws and the consequences of a conviction.

Reckless driving is a crime in West Virginia. This article explains how West Virginia defines reckless driving and the penalties you'll face for a conviction.

What's Considered "Reckless Driving" in West Virginia?

In West Virginia, reckless driving is defined as driving "in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property." The term "willful" refers to conduct that is intentional or purposeful. And "wanton" generally means the person understood but disregarded the consequences of the conduct. (W. Va. Code Ann. § 17C-5-3.)

West Virginia's Reckless Driving Penalties

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor in West Virginia. The possible penalties for a conviction are explained below.

Fines and Jail Time for 1st Reckless Driving Conviction in West Virginia

A first reckless driving conviction carries five to 90 days in jail and/or $25 to $500 in fines.

Fines, Jail Time, and License Revocation for 2nd or Subsequent Reckless Driving Conviction in West Virginia

For a second or subsequent reckless driving conviction, the driver faces ten days to six months in jail and/or $50 to $1,000 in fines. License revocation is mandatory for anyone convicted of reckless driving three times within a period of 24 months.

Fines and Jail Time for Reckless Driving Involving Injuries in West Virginia

For offenses involving "serious bodily injury" to another person, the driver is looking at ten days to six months in jail and/or $50 to $1,000 in fines.

Reckless Driving Involving Deaths in West Virginia

If a reckless driving incident results in the death of another person, vehicular homicide charges are a possibility.

Traffic Violation Points for Reckless Driving Convictions in West Virginia

A reckless driving conviction will also add six demerit points to the motorist's driving record. Accumulating 12 or more points within a two-year period leads to license suspension.

Reckless Driving and DUI Charges ("Wet Reckless") in West Virginia

In some states, it's possible for a driver who's charged with driving under the influence (DUI), to "plea bargain" for a lesser charge. When a DUI is plea-bargained down to a reckless driving charge, it's sometimes called a "wet reckless."

West Virginia law doesn't prohibit plea bargaining in DUI cases. So, for someone who's accused of drunk driving in West Virginia, convincing a prosecutor to reduce the charge to reckless driving might be possible.

Talk to a West Virginia Defense Attorney

The facts of every case are different. If you've been arrested for or charged with reckless driving, get in contact with an experienced defense attorney. A qualified attorney can explain how the law applies to the facts of your case and help you decide on how best to handle your situation.

DEFEND YOUR RIGHTS
Talk to a Defense attorney
We've helped 95 clients find attorneys today.
There was a problem with the submission. Please refresh the page and try again
Full Name is required
Email is required
Please enter a valid Email
Phone Number is required
Please enter a valid Phone Number
Zip Code is required
Please add a valid Zip Code
Please enter a valid Case Description
Description is required

How It Works

  1. Briefly tell us about your case
  2. Provide your contact information
  3. Choose attorneys to contact you