Reckless driving is a crime in Maryland. The offense is defined as driving “in wanton or willful disregard for the safety of persons or property” or in a manner that indicates such a disregard. 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.
In Maryland, reckless driving is a misdemeanor. The “schedule” fine amount for a violation is $510. Motorists who opt to pay their ticket without going to court must pay the schedule fine. In court, a judge can either reduce the fine or increase it up to $1,000.
A reckless driving conviction will also add six demerit points to the motorist’s driving record. Accumulating eight or more points within a two-year period will lead to license suspension.
Maryland has another offense called “negligent driving.” Negligent driving—which is a “lesser included offense” of reckless driving—is defined as driving a vehicle “in a careless or imprudent manner that endangers any property or the life or person of any individual.”
The difference between reckless and negligent driving is a matter of degree, and the dividing line isn’t always clear. Basically, reckless driving involves the operation of a vehicle that’s obviously dangerous, whereas more subtle instances of bad driving might be in the negligent driving category.
The penalties for negligent driving are less severe than those for reckless driving. Like reckless driving, negligent driving is a misdemeanor. But the scheduled fine for negligent driving is only $140, and the maximum fine a judge can impose in court is $500. A negligent driving conviction puts three points on the driver’s record.
In Maryland, 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.”