Did you ever watch a sporting event, and one player gets hit illegally by a player on the opposition, but when they react and strike back, they’re the one penalized? It can be the same way with driving. A driver cuts you off, you get angry, react to their aggressive driving, and you get accused of road rage and charged with reckless driving, a misdemeanor crime.   

Avoiding Road Rage & a Reckless Driving Charge

Never strike out in anger when you’re driving because of a perceived wrong by another driver. Someone could get injured or killed. You do not want a reckless driving conviction or, much worse, vehicular manslaughter on your record.

CA Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 23103, Driving Offenses, Paragraph (a) states, “A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.”

Therefore, the most compelling portion of this traffic code section is “…willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property…” Many violations of traffic code are mistakes or due to negligence. A mistake or error is not wanton or willful. The state must prove you acted willfully and wantonly. That can often be easy to do when a driver reacts hastily to another driver's negligent or rude driving behavior, and it’s typically the second driver’s reaction that gets spotted by a law enforcement officer (LEO).

Play Some Classical Trip Music for Your Trip to Prevent Road Rage or Reckless Driving

It doesn’t have to be classical, but certainly not loud headbanging music or gangster rap. Studies have shown that those two types of music while driving can negatively affect the driver’s mood. You should compose a playlist of songs that makes you feel mellow but not sleepy. Mellow music can keep a driver from flying into a rage about the rude behavior of another driver. 

Use Lavender, Bergamot Orange, or Chamomile Scented Essential Oils or Air Fresheners 

Like music, calming scents can impact your mood positively while driving. Essential oils and natural air fresheners with lavender, bergamot orange, and chamomile scents can have a calming effect that reduces stress and calms the nerves.

Never Try to Police Other Drivers; Leave That for LEO

Getting in the left lane or fast lanes and driving at or below the speed limit can be more dangerous than speeding. In fact, driving too much below the speed limit could get you a ticket for violation of CVC Section 22400, Other Speed Laws, warns drivers, “No person shall drive upon a highway at such a slow speed as to impede or block the normal and reasonable movement of traffic unless the reduced speed is necessary for safe operation, because of a grade, or in compliance with law.”

Even if you’re not ticketed, it could cause road rage in another driver. Therefore, drive primarily in the right lane and use the left lane for passing. Leave speed limit enforcement to LEO.

Reckless Driving in CA Could Lead to a Misdemeanor Charge 

Reckless Driving is one of the most severe traffic offense charges, along with evading a peace officer, hit & run, speed contests and others. A conviction for reckless driving means you face a base fine of between $145 and $1,000 and five days to three months in county jail, probation or a combination.

Believe it; few CA judges will fine you just $145 and probation if you are convicted. You need a traffic attorney with criminal law experience in CA’s Superior Court. When you are charged with reckless driving in Delano, CA or anywhere around Kern County, call Bigger & Harman, APC. They have the knowledge and experience gained near-daily trials in traffic or Superior Court across Central Valley and Eastern California.  

In fact, you should exercise your “right to remain silent,” and consult with Bigger & Harman before you make any statement to LEO or an officer of the court.

Call the Office of Bigger & Harman, APC, the Bakersfield Traffic Attorney Team to Resolve Your Reckless Driving Charge in Delano Superior Court

Call Bigger & Harman (661) 349-9300 when you have been charged with reckless driving and have a date to appear in Delano Superior Court.

Se habla Español (661) 349-9755.

Email: attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com. 

References:

The 2021 CA Driver Handbook English y Español