US driving guide · High-speed offences
Reckless Driving Speed by State
Some states publish a clear speed threshold; others decide reckless driving from the full circumstances. This guide separates automatic rules from common charging practices.
Updated 2026-08-12
States with notable speed-based thresholds
| State | Notable speed trigger | What it can mean |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 20 mph over or faster than 85 mph | Reckless driving is a Class 1 misdemeanor |
| Arizona | More than 20 mph over, over 85 mph, or specific urban/school thresholds | Criminal speeding can be a class 3 misdemeanor |
| North Carolina | More than 15 mph over while above 55 mph, or above 80 mph | Reckless/excessive-speed exposure and possible suspension |
| Connecticut | 85 mph or faster | Statutory reckless-driving threshold |
| Delaware | 90 mph or faster | Reckless-driving treatment |
| Utah | Faster than 105 mph | Can be charged as reckless driving |
| Indiana | Around 30 mph or more over | Can be charged as reckless driving |
| Louisiana | Around 25 mph or more over | Potential reckless-operation charge |
| Colorado | 25 mph or more over | Misdemeanor traffic-offence exposure |
Why there is no honest single national table
Reckless driving is often defined by conduct: driving with wilful or wanton disregard for safety. Speed can prove that conduct, but many states do not create one automatic speed-only line. Road type, traffic, weather, racing, weaving and prior offences can turn a speed that would normally be a citation into a criminal allegation.
Other named offences also matter. Georgia uses a Super Speeder fee at 85 mph on any road or 75 mph on a two-lane road, but that fee is not itself the same as an automatic reckless-driving conviction. Florida, California and several other states use separate high-speed or mandatory-court rules without calling every case reckless driving.
What changes when a charge becomes criminal
- A mandatory court appearance may replace the option to pay a simple citation.
- Possible jail, probation or a criminal record enters the range of outcomes.
- Licence suspension or disqualification becomes more likely.
- Insurance consequences can be much larger than for ordinary speeding.
- A lawyer licensed in the issuing state may be appropriate, especially for an out-of-state driver.
Frequently asked questions
Is 20 mph over always reckless driving?
No. Some states use 20 mph over as a statutory or common charging threshold, while others require additional evidence of unsafe or wilful conduct.
Is driving over 100 mph automatically reckless?
Not in every state, but it commonly triggers mandatory court, enhanced penalties, suspension risk or a reckless charge. Utah has a notable threshold above 105 mph; other states use different rules.
What is the Virginia reckless-driving speed?
Virginia law treats driving 20 mph or more over the limit or faster than 85 mph as reckless driving by speed.
Is Georgia Super Speeder the same as reckless driving?
No. Super Speeder is an additional state fee triggered at specified speeds. A separate reckless-driving charge depends on the facts and charge filed.
Related tools and guides
Official sources
Rules and penalties change. Confirm your situation with the issuing authority or a qualified professional before acting.