South Carolina's Reckless Driving Laws and Penalties

Reckless driving is a crime in South Carolina. The offense is defined as driving in a way that shows “a 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.

Reckless Driving Penalties

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor in South Carolina. The penalties for a conviction are:

• First offense. Motorists convicted of a first reckless driving offense face up to 30 days in jail or $25 to $200 in fines.
• Repeat offense. In addition to the first-offense penalties (see above), anyone convicted of a second or subsequent reckless driving offense within a five-year period is looking at a three-month license suspension.

A reckless driving conviction will also add six demerit points to a motorist’s driving record. Accumulating 12 or more points within a certain period of time can lead to license suspension.

Reckless Driving and DUI Charges (“Wet Reckless”)

In South Carolina, it’s possible for a driver who’s charged with driving under the influence (DUI), also called “operating under the influence” (OUI), 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.”

Talk to an 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.