Sometimes things get out of hand behind the wheel. Maybe you were running late and speeding a little faster than you should have. Maybe someone cut you off, and you reacted without thinking. Or maybe you just didn’t realize how your driving looked to others. What starts as a simple mistake can quickly turn into a reckless driving charge.
But what is reckless driving in Oklahoma? And what happens next? That’s where we come in. Let’s walk through what reckless driving means in Oklahoma and how an attorney can help you move forward.
What Is Reckless Driving in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, reckless driving means you drove in a careless or dangerous way that put others at risk. The law says that reckless driving happens when someone “drives a motor vehicle in a careless or wanton manner without regard for the safety of persons or property or in violation of the conditions outlined in Section 11-801 of this title.” Let’s break that down into more simple terms so you can understand how the law might apply to your situation.
Drive a Motor Vehicle
In Oklahoma, “driving” means being in control of a vehicle while it’s moving. This includes cars, trucks, motorcycles, and even off-road vehicles and farm equipment if they’re on public roads. If you’re behind the wheel and operating the vehicle, it counts.
That also means it doesn’t matter if you were only going a short distance or didn’t get far before being pulled over. As long as you were in control of the vehicle while it was in motion, the law applies.
Without Regard for Safety
This part of the law means you didn’t consider the safety of others or their property while driving. Oklahoma uses something called the "reasonable person standard" to help determine this. That means they ask: Would a reasonable person in the same situation have acted the same way? If not, your driving might be considered reckless.
Here are some more specific examples of driving without regard for safety:
- Excessive speeding
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Tailgating (following too closely)
- Weaving in and out of traffic
- Passing on the shoulder or in a no-passing zone
- Speeding in heavy rain or icy conditions
- Distracted driving such as texting
The officer or judge will also consider things like road conditions, traffic, and your speed when deciding if you were reckless.
Violation of Section 11-801
This part of the law covers Oklahoma’s speed limits and safe stopping distances. According to the law, “The limits specified by law or established as hereinafter authorized shall be maximum lawful speeds.” Here are the maximum speeds allowed:
- 35 MPH in state parks and wildlife refuges
- 25 MPH in school zones
- 70 MPH on four-lane divided highways and super two-lane highways
- 75 MPH on turnpikes and rural interstates
While you can be charged with reckless driving in Oklahoma for speeding, it doesn’t always lead to this charge. However, if you’re going more than 20 miles over the posted limit (considered excessive speeding) or you're driving too fast for the weather conditions, it could.
What’s the Punishment for Reckless Driving in Oklahoma?
In Oklahoma, reckless driving is typically a misdemeanor and the punishment depends on whether it’s your first offense or not. If you’ve been convicted before, the penalties get worse, which is known as a predicate offense:
- First conviction: 5 to 90 days in jail, a fine between $100 and $500, or both
- Second or later conviction: 10 days to 6 months in jail, a fine between $150 and $1,000, or both
Keep in mind that certain factors can mean the charges will be elevated to a felony. If your driving caused someone’s death, the charge could be upgraded to manslaughter. If you have a long record of traffic offenses, you might also face felony charges.
Reckless driving also adds points on your license. That can lead to higher insurance rates or even license suspension if you get too many points.
Will You Go to Jail for Reckless Driving?
Probably not—but it depends on your situation. If this is your first offense and you have a clean record, you likely won’t go to jail.
Even with a minor criminal record, your attorney might work out a suspended or deferred sentence. That means you could avoid jail by meeting certain conditions, like going to traffic school or staying out of trouble for a while. However, you could face jail time if:
- You’ve had prior reckless driving or DUI charges
- Someone was hurt because of your driving
- You were driving at extremely high speeds
- You fled from police or caused property damage
An experienced defense attorney can work to keep you out of jail. They’ll look at your record, talk to the prosecutor, and help the court see you’re not a danger to others.
What to Do If You’re Charged with Reckless Driving
Getting pulled over can feel scary. Stay calm and respectful with the officer. Hand over your license and registration, but don’t admit guilt or try to explain everything on the spot. What you say can be used against you later.
Once you’re charged with reckless driving in Oklahoma, take the situation seriously. Here are some steps to follow:
- Don’t admit fault: Anything you say can be used in court.
- Gather evidence: Save dash cam footage or let your attorney know where to find traffic camera recordings.
- Contact witnesses: If anyone saw what happened, their statement may help.
- Talk to a lawyer: An attorney can guide you through the process and talk to the prosecutor for you.
- Show up to court: Failing to appear in court will only make things worse.
There are also legal defenses that could help your case. Here are a few your attorney might use:
- Lack of intent: You didn’t mean to drive recklessly, for example, you were just reacting to another driver.
- Emergency situation: You had to drive fast to avoid something worse, for example if you were driving someone to the hospital.
- Mistaken observation: The officer may have misread what was happening—reckless driving can be subjective.
- Bad road or weather conditions: You weren’t being careless, the conditions were just hard to manage.
The Bottom Line
Reckless driving in Oklahoma is a serious charge. Even if you don’t end up in jail, it can cost you in fines, insurance increases, and points on your license. It can also stay on your record and cause problems later.
You don’t have to face this alone. A good attorney can help explain your side, protect your rights, and work toward a better outcome. If you’ve been charged with reckless driving, reach out to us today for a free case evaluation. We’re here to help you get through this.