You are a proud parent of a teenager. You remember the day you brought your baby home from the hospital. You watched that baby grow into a toddler that crawled and then walked. Now, that baby is about to turn 16. With this special birthday comes the opportunity for your teen to get their driver’s license.
You are excited for this opportunity, but you also worry. Stories about distracted and reckless teen drivers come up in the news often. You’ve chatted with your child about distracted driving, but it would be beneficial to explain reckless driving to them as well.
What constitutes reckless driving?
Georgia law regarding the term reckless driving is vague. It simply means driving in a way that is in disregard for other people and property. This loose term can be applied to many different scenarios and used to prove fault or negligence when an accident occurs.
What are common types of reckless driving?
Because the term is so vague, many different dangerous behaviors on the road can be constituted as reckless driving. Common types of reckless driving include:
- Speeding excessively
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Illegally passing other vehicles
- Failing to stop at stop signs and traffic lights
- Failing to yield when necessary
- Tailgating other vehicles
- Passing a stopped school buss
- Failing to signal
- Racing
- Failing to yield to emergency vehicles
- Passing at a railroad crossing or pedestrian crossing
- Driving after consuming alcohol
What should you tell your teen?
Remind your soon-to-be driver how important it is to be cautious behind the wheel. Regardless of the situation or pressure from friends, they should always abide by the law. A reckless driving charge will result in points against your teen’s license. Georgia does not offer an expungement option. Most importantly, always lead by example when behind the wheel yourself.