How Bad is a Reckless Driving Charge?

We often hear clients say they got a reckless driving charge. There actually is no such term in Alberta traffic law. Reckless driving is an American term that has been adopted by Albertans through TV shows and movies.

Is Reckless Driving a Criminal Charge? How Long Does Reckless Driving Affect Insurance?

Is reckless driving a crime?... not at all… but your insurance company has it in the same risk category as all the criminal driving offences. Being convicted of a reckless driving charge, I mean careless driving… results in the same impact as a Dangerous Driving charge and carries six demerit points with the same insurance increase as an impaired driving conviction… a three-year catastrophic financial impact for drivers. You don’t end up with a criminal record from getting convicted of a reckless driving charge – but you do get treated like a criminal by your insurer.

So What is a Reckless Driving Charge?

There’s lots of confusion surrounding use of the terms Reckless Driving and Careless Driving. It’s the most serious moving violation in the Alberta Traffic Safety Act

Find out more about Careless and Reckless Driving and, with our help, how to beat reckless driving charges.