Reckless driving in Utah comes with serious consequences that go beyond the time you may serve behind bars. In 2024, there were 281 fatalities on Utah roads. That’s up from 279 in 2023. Those numbers represent real people with real families, and many of them would still be alive if it weren’t for poor decision-making behind the wheel.
Whether or not someone gets hurt, reckless driving is a crime in Utah, and it may lead to time behind bars.
According to Utah code, reckless driving is driving with a “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property.”
That “willful or wanton disregard” might sound vague, but the law clearly states what it means:
If a police officer catches you doing either of those things, you can be charged with a class B misdemeanor. This means you can face up to six months in jail and pay up to $1,000 in fines.
The traffic code encompasses every law that has to do with driving in Utah. This includes using your turn signals, understanding your right of way, wearing your seatbelt, and more.
In many cases, a traffic violation is an infraction, which means up to $750 in fines. Most speeding tickets are less costly than that. They normally range between $130 and $480 depending on how fast you go.
The traffic code also includes more serious charges that can put you behind bars, including felony DUIs and misdemeanor reckless driving.
Consider this scenario. You’re in a hurry to get somewhere, and driving safely isn’t top of mind. You’re going 75 miles per hour where the speed limit is 55, you’re weaving in and out of lanes without signaling, and you’re not wearing your seatbelt.
On top of all of that, there is a police officer who witnessed everything. When the officer stops you, you might think this will be a run-of-the-mill speeding ticket. However, because you violated three traffic codes within three miles, you could get arrested and charged with reckless driving.
People who are charged with reckless driving often face other charges on top of that. This can include infractions like speeding, but they can also include misdemeanors and even felonies. All of these charges can be used against you in sentencing, and you may find yourself serving time behind bars for each of them. There are a number of crimes that can accompany a reckless driving charge, including DUI, texting and driving, and automobile homicide.
In Utah, you can be charged with driving under the influence if you are caught driving with any substance in your blood that can impair decision-making. In most cases, that substance is alcohol, but it can include other substances like marijuana or opiates.
First-time DUIs are class B misdemeanors. However, if you are driving with a minor in the car, that charge is raised to a class A misdemeanor. This means up to 364 days in jail and up to $2,500 in fines.
Second-time DUIs within a 10-year span are class A misdemeanors, and any amount after that is a third-degree felony. That can mean up to five years in prison and up to $5,000 in fines.
In Utah, sending or reading a text message while driving a car is a class C misdemeanor. This means up to 90 days in jail and $750 in fines. However, this can be raised to a class B misdemeanor if your actions led to “significant bodily injury” of another person or if you have been convicted of the same offense within three years.
It’s not just texting. You can get in trouble for doing other things with an electronic device while driving, including:
However, you are allowed to use your phone for emergencies and reporting hazards or criminal activities. You can also look at it to get directions, but you should input the address before you drive or have a passenger do it for you. If you’re searching for a location while driving, that may lead you to automobile homicide.
Under Utah law, automobile homicide goes hand in hand with driving under the influence. This charge follows killing someone while driving a car and having alcohol or drugs in your blood.
Automobile homicide is a second-degree felony. Second-degree felonies usually result in 1–15 years in prison. For this crime, however, there is a mandatory minimum requirement of at least five years in prison. If your actions led to the death of multiple people, you can receive a separate charge for each person.
If one person was killed, the charges would be automobile homicide, driving under the influence, and reckless driving.
If a police officer arrests you for reckless driving, don’t fight it. Comply with their requests, but stay silent about the situation. Whatever you tell police can be used against you, even minor details. The only questions you have to answer are basic identifying information like your name and address.
The person you should discuss your case with is your lawyer. This is someone who is on your side and understands the ins and outs of the legal system. Your lawyer is there to fight for you. Police and prosecutors exist to make sure justice is served. They don’t have your best interest at heart.
You don’t want to hire any lawyer for a reckless driving charge. You want someone who has experience with these types of cases. You’ll find that with Kristin Wilson. She’s been defending people accused of reckless driving and DUIs for years. She is ready to help.
To get started, tell us about your case, and we’ll get back to you.
