Reckless Driving vs. Speeding: Understanding the Legal Differences and Consequences
Sept. 12, 2025
Drivers can face serious consequences for traffic violations. We're talking penalties that go way beyond the inconvenience of a ticket. Two of the most commonly confused offenses are reckless driving and speeding. While they both involve unsafe driving behavior, the law treats them very differently.
At William L. Pomeroy Law, they know how Tennessee law defines reckless driving and speeding, what factors influence the classification of an offense, and the potential penalties that follow. It also considers the broader impact these charges can have on driving records, insurance rates, and future opportunities.
How Tennessee Law Defines Speeding
Speeding in Tennessee is generally considered a straightforward violation of posted speed limits or a failure to reduce speed for conditions. The offense is usually classified as a traffic infraction, which means it’s less severe than a criminal charge. However, penalties can still be significant.
The Tennessee Code prohibits driving at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions. This means even driving below the posted limit can be a violation if road, weather, or traffic conditions require slower speeds. Law enforcement officers use radar, pacing, and other methods to measure a driver’s speed and determine if a citation is warranted.
Speeding violations typically result in fines, court costs, and points added to a driver’s record. While the penalties might seem manageable, multiple infractions within a short period can lead to license suspension. This is especially relevant for commercial drivers, who often face stricter standards.
How Tennessee Law Defines Reckless Driving
Reckless driving in Tennessee is treated as a criminal misdemeanor, which means the consequences can be much more severe than those for a standard speeding ticket. Under Tennessee Code § 55-10-205, a driver commits reckless driving when operating a vehicle “in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
This definition covers a broad range of behaviors. Examples include excessive speeding well above the limit, aggressive weaving between lanes, running red lights, or engaging in street racing. The key factor is that the conduct must demonstrate a conscious disregard for safety.
Because reckless driving is a misdemeanor, a conviction results in a permanent criminal record, not just a mark on a driving record. This distinction can have long-term consequences for employment, professional licensing, and other areas of life.
Key Differences Between Reckless Driving and Speeding
While both offenses involve driving at unsafe speeds in certain situations, there are several important differences under Tennessee law.
Legal classification: Speeding is generally treated as a civil traffic violation, while reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor.
Required proof: Speeding requires proof of exceeding a lawful speed limit or failing to adjust for conditions. Reckless driving requires proof of willful or wanton disregard for safety.
Penalties: Speeding usually results in fines and points, while reckless driving can bring higher fines, possible jail time, and a criminal record.
Impact on record: Speeding affects a driving record, while reckless driving affects both a driving and a criminal record.
These differences show why a driver charged with reckless driving faces significantly higher stakes. The classification of the offense often comes down to the circumstances and the officer’s assessment of intent and behavior.
Factors That Can Escalate Speeding to Reckless Driving
Not all speeding incidents are treated equally under Tennessee law. Certain aggravating factors can lead to a reckless driving charge even when the primary behavior involves speeding.
Some of these factors include:
Traveling at an extremely high rate of speed, such as 20–30 mph over the limit
Speeding through a school zone or construction area
Driving aggressively in heavy traffic
Losing control of the vehicle due to unsafe speeds
Endangering pedestrians or other drivers
These situations show how a speeding violation can quickly become a more serious matter. Officers consider both the level of danger and the intent behind the behavior when deciding whether to cite for reckless driving.
Penalties for Speeding in Tennessee
For most speeding violations, penalties include a fine, court costs, and points on a driving record. The number of points depends on how far over the limit the driver was traveling. For example, going 1–5 mph over the limit typically results in fewer points than exceeding it by 16–25 mph.
Tennessee uses a point system to track driving behavior. Accumulating too many points in a set period can result in license suspension. Drivers under 18 face even lower point thresholds for suspension.
In addition to legal penalties, speeding can have financial consequences. Insurance providers often raise rates for drivers with recent speeding tickets, and multiple violations can lead to substantial premium increases.
Penalties for Reckless Driving in Tennessee
A reckless driving conviction is punishable by up to six months in jail, fines of up to $500, and six points on a driving record. These penalties reflect the state’s view of reckless driving as a serious threat to public safety.
Beyond these immediate penalties, having a misdemeanor conviction on a permanent record can create long-term challenges. Employers, landlords, and professional boards often conduct background checks, and a reckless driving charge may raise concerns.
The criminal nature of reckless driving means it’s treated differently than most traffic violations. In some cases, defendants may be eligible for probation or a reduction in charges, but outcomes vary widely based on circumstances and prior history.
How Traffic Violations Affect Driving Records
In Tennessee, both speeding and reckless driving contribute to the accumulation of points on a driving record. Points remain on the record for two years, and excessive points can lead to suspension or revocation of a license.
The impact extends beyond state penalties. Insurance companies track traffic violations and often adjust rates based on perceived risk. While a single speeding ticket may have a modest effect, a reckless driving conviction almost always results in significant premium increases.
For commercial drivers, the stakes are higher. Many employers in the transportation industry have zero-tolerance policies for serious traffic violations, meaning a reckless driving conviction could end a driving career.
Defenses Against Speeding and Reckless Driving Charges
Drivers facing speeding or reckless driving charges have the right to challenge the allegations. Common defenses include questioning the accuracy of speed measurement devices, challenging the officer’s observations, or presenting evidence of necessity, such as avoiding an immediate hazard.
For reckless driving, the defense often focuses on disputing the claim of willful or wanton disregard for safety. Showing that the conduct did not meet the legal threshold can sometimes result in a reduced charge.
Because reckless driving is a criminal offense, defendants may benefit from seeking legal representation to analyze the evidence and present a strong case. Even with speeding violations, reducing points and fines can protect both driving and insurance records.
The Basics of Plea Agreements in Traffic Cases
In some Tennessee cases, prosecutors and defense attorneys reach plea agreements to resolve traffic violations without going to trial. For speeding, this might involve reducing the charge to a non-moving violation that carries no points. For reckless driving, it might mean reducing the charge to careless driving or another lesser offense.
Plea agreements can help avoid the most serious consequences, but they’re not guaranteed. The availability of this option depends on the facts of the case, the driver’s record, and the willingness of the court to approve the arrangement.
Long-Term Consequences of Traffic Violations
Traffic violations, especially reckless driving, can have effects that extend well beyond the initial penalties. Higher insurance rates, employment challenges, and loss of driving privileges can persist for years. For younger drivers, early violations can create a record that affects opportunities in education and employment.
Some violations may also affect the ability to travel. Certain countries consider reckless driving a criminal offense that can impact visa applications or entry requirements. This is another reason why understanding the nature of the charge is important before making decisions about how to proceed.
Preventing Reckless Driving and Speeding Charges
Avoiding traffic violations in Tennessee starts with safe driving practices. This includes monitoring speed, adjusting for conditions, avoiding aggressive maneuvers, and staying alert to changing traffic patterns.
Defensive driving courses can help drivers improve skills and sometimes even reduce points on a record after a violation. These courses emphasize hazard recognition, proper following distances, and strategies for avoiding unsafe situations.
While no driver can control the behavior of others, practicing safe habits reduces the likelihood of being cited for either speeding or reckless driving.
In Tennessee, the distinction between reckless driving and speeding is more than just a matter of wording. Speeding is generally treated as a traffic infraction, while reckless driving is a criminal misdemeanor with far-reaching consequences. The penalties, the impact on records, and the potential for lasting effects are all much greater for reckless driving.
Call William L. Pomeroy Law Today
Knowing these differences can help drivers make informed choices, both on the road and when responding to charges. By recognizing the behaviors that can escalate a simple speeding violation into a reckless driving offense, motorists can reduce their risk of facing the most serious outcomes. The firm serves Brentwood, Tennessee, as well as Davidson County, Williamson County, and Rutherford County. Call William L. Pomeroy today for more information.