I'm being charged with Reckless Driving . . .

Kshaw0960 · Dec 8, 2022

Many years ago in Charlotte NC I snagged lines hanging down on the corner of my trailer. Pulled them down and a pickup behind me swerved to avoid and ran into a sign.

Ended up getting no ticket and wasn’t at fault because I was on a US highway and the lines shouldn’t have been low. Your situation is iffy for many reasons, esp pulling a uturn. You were also not on the actual road or path of travel when you snagged them.

Chinatown · Dec 8, 2022

MCribbs said: ↑

Why was this cop so intent on ruining me for this?
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You're not ruined, just have to start over now.
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Chinatown · Dec 8, 2022

Which state do you live in?

gentleroger · Dec 8, 2022

MCribbs said: ↑

Why was this cop so intent on ruining me for this?
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Because you caused property damage through the negligent use of a motor vehicle on a public roadway, which is the definition of reckless driving (wi 346.62).

Had you done it on private property, it is likely that the officer would not have cited you, or at least not in the same way.

Get a lawyer and fight it the best you can. Then learn from it and move on.

The

CrappieJunkie · Dec 8, 2022

MCribbs said: ↑

. . . a criminal offense. Basically, I pulled over to the side of the road. There were telephone lines running parallel/adjacent to the road. I went to do a u turn and the lines got hung up on my trailer. I didn't know I was hung up and drove forward. In that process a smaller sized telephone pole came down. I called 911. The responding officer told me that these were out of use lines that the telephone company had yet to take down. Of course, I didn't record him saying that to me, I just remember it. I'm wondering if any of you have dealt with something like this before and how it all shook out for you. Do I have any legal standing as far the lines not being up to regulation height? I gave my number to one of those CDL "we'll find you a lawyer services" and they called me right back asking for $850 and then they'll hire me a lawyer. Does anyone know if a lawyer would be able to do anything in a case like this? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you. Edit. Ive attached some pictures.
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Don't use a service to find a lawyer. Do the research and find a local guy or call OOIDA and they can point you to rigjt direction.

MCribbs · Dec 8, 2022

Moose1958 said: ↑

First of all OP, please relax. A reckless is not a fatal to your career charge. Yes, it is going to make the next 3 to 5 years a bit more challenging, but you can recover from it. Reckless is a table 2 charge just as 15 over is. The best advice you can get right now is to get an attorney and see if you can get the charge downgraded. Or if you feel you are in fact innocent fight it. The problems come because some insurance carriers won't insure you. I might also add that reckless charges can also have an adverse effect on your personal vehicle insurance. You really need to find an attorney!
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Yes, I know. I have a speeding ticket on my record and it cost me a job with Estes. I can only imagine what a speeding ticket and reckless driving will do to my driving privileges. Am getting in touch with some lawyers today. Thank you.

MCribbs · Dec 8, 2022

Concorde said: ↑

The wires weren’t hanging too low over the road/right of way. Looks to me by looking at your pictures that you went off road in the dirt prior to the u-turn.

Either that or I’ve misjudged your pictures..
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Yes, It was a two lane road. So i needed as much room as possible to turn truck around. I pulled into the dirt, not thinking that the lines would be an issue and obviously they were.

drvrtech77 · Dec 8, 2022

What State did this occur in?

MCribbs · Dec 8, 2022

TheLoadOut said: ↑

So how did the cop come away with the reckless driving charge? Was it because you were attempting a u-turn across a 2 -4 lane road? or for the wires being torn down? Did the company fire you over the wires or the attempt at a u-turn? I think most companies frown upon doing u-turns across a highway. Either way you have to get that charge downgraded and chalk this up as a hard lesson.
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I was in a collision 6 months before this where someone cut me off. I didn't have video evidence. I was ultimately charged with speeding for that. After I called and told them I ripped a telephone pole down I think they just saw me as a liability. It was a two lane road. Traffic in one direction and the other. There was no one around me. Seemed like a safe maneuver. Had the lines been at least 14' high obviously would have been a safe maneuver.

MCribbs · Dec 8, 2022

Chinatown said: ↑

Which state do you live in?
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Arizona. Almost got on with Estes but they cancelled their offer because of a speeding ticket.

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