"reckless driving" for passing in double lines?

[USMC-2-USN]

I got a ticket for reclesss driving alast night. I came up on a minivan going about 20MPH in a 40MPH zone so i passed them in a no passing zone. cop says i did it recklessly because there was oncoming traffic (which was WAYYY off). 5 cops showed up when he pulled me over and threatened to take me to jail for reckless driving???

I have to show up to gt fingerprinted, photographed, and booked in a few weeks and court date is 1.5 months from now

Is this a BS ticket? I admit that i did pass in a no passing zone, but to charge me with reckless driving? I didn't even break the speed limit. He said "i heard you coming and saw you do it" so apparentley does not have a radar reading anyway

What should i do?

 

[stang2009]

i had a reckless driving ticket without a radar on me too, and it was similiar to your situation (except the minivan was a Z06 lol) anyways, i lost my license for 120 days and had a number of fines, as well as insurance dropping me...so it was a headache. i would try to plea guilty to a lesser offense and see if they will drop the charges down a little...or else hire a lawyer and good luck

 

[JDMach1]

2 cents worth!

I'm not sure about TN law, but in IL reckless driving is "Any person who drives any vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property", so if there was oncoming traffic it could fit the elements of the offense. In IL it is a class C Misdemeanor, which is an arrestable offense. As an officer, I imagine the officer who stopped you thought the way you passed was especially dangerous. He would not have to have any radar to substantiate the charge. In my experience, I would suggest trying to get court supervision and have the charge reduced to the passing lane violation. In IL, especially my county, this would be no problem unless you have a really bad driving record! You definately do not want a conviction for reckless driving on your record or against your insurance!

Good luck! :thumbsup:

MACH ON!!!:beer:

 

[Vancouver83LTD]

What do you think the double yellow lines are for?
Stupid shit.
I'm 16 and even I am more responsible than that. Honk at the minivan, flash your lights, etc etc let him know you want to go past and he'll almost certainly pull over.
Don't be a shithead.

 

[FordSVTFan]

83 LTD, there is no need for name calling and flaming.

Please refrain from that in this forum!

 

[Vancouver83LTD]

Sorry

I still contend that was a stupid thng to do, though...

 

[Ginsu]

Re: 2 cents worth!

JDMach1 said what I was going to. If your driving record is good, you can try to work out a deal with the prosecuter. Most will be willing to since that will clear one more case after calendar call. But if you are unable to make a deal then your next best bet is to hire a lawyer.

Now onto the soap box, one thing I learned early on when I was a Marine and still apply to my life. If I am going to do something that has a negative consequence I need to ask myself what could happen and am I willing to accept the outcome. If I decide to follow through with such act and I get nailed then I have no one to blame but myself.

Originally posted by JDMach1
I'm not sure about TN law, but in IL reckless driving is "Any person who drives any vehicle with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property", so if there was oncoming traffic it could fit the elements of the offense. In IL it is a class C Misdemeanor, which is an arrestable offense. As an officer, I imagine the officer who stopped you thought the way you passed was especially dangerous. He would not have to have any radar to substantiate the charge. In my experience, I would suggest trying to get court supervision and have the charge reduced to the passing lane violation. In IL, especially my county, this would be no problem unless you have a really bad driving record! You definately do not want a conviction for reckless driving on your record or against your insurance!

Good luck! :thumbsup:

MACH ON!!!:beer: