In every state, reckless driving is considered a more serious offense than other types of common traffic offenses. In Missouri, it’s called careless driving, and it carries stiff penalties that go beyond fines. Before you find yourself having to hire a traffic offense attorney, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with Missouri’s careless driving laws.

What Should You Know About Careless Driving?

Under the state’s careless driving law, Missouri establishes varying levels or standards of care. The degree of care you must exercise is related to the type of motor vehicle you’re driving and the driving conditions. For instance, someone operating a car or truck in a parking lot or an unpaved private road owes a slightly lower duty of care than a motorist driving on a public highway. 

The law specifically states that driving a motor vehicle on a public highway requires the highest standard of care. This means complying with all traffic laws and driving defensively in an effort to avoid auto accidents. 

Some examples of careless driving include:

• Speeding more than 20 MPH over the posted limit
• Passing in an unsafe manner, such as on a hill
• Attempting to escape a police officer
• Racing another vehicle

Why Do Careless Driving Charges Require the Expertise of a Criminal Defense Lawyer? 

When thinking about traffic violations, it’s common to conjure up images of a crowded traffic court with the judge assigning fines as punishments. While fines are still a part of careless driving penalties, these charges are much more serious. Driving carelessly is now a misdemeanor crime, so it can have wide-ranging effects on your life. 

If you’re charged with careless driving and failing to exhibit the highest degree of care, you’ll be charged with a class B misdemeanor. In Missouri, a class B misdemeanor carries a fine of up to $500 and imprisonment for a term of up to six months.

However, if your careless driving resulted in an accident, you’ll be charged with a class A misdemeanor. This type of conviction carries a jail term of up to one year along with a fine of up to $1,000.

As this overview suggests, defending against careless driving charges requires the expertise of a traffic offense attorney. The lawyers at Coyne, Cundiff & Hillemann, P.C. have the expertise required to help you confront careless driving charges so you can obtain a favorable outcome in your case. To discuss your charges with an experienced traffic offense attorney, fill out their online form or call (636) 561-5599.