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Careless vs Reckless

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by metaluzc, Sep 30, 2011.

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  1. Sep 30, 2011 #1
    metaluzc

    metaluzc Bobtail Member

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    So I talked to a few companies today to ask about their policy on moving violations. I told them I had a reckless driving violation from February 2009 and most of them said there couldn't be any in the last three years and some said five years. The only company that seemed fine with the reckless driving was Swift and what they have to offer isn't that appealing.I talked to Boyd Bros. and the recruiter told me that if it was a careless driving violation as opposed to reckless driving, I'd be ok with their company. Well I decided to look up the difference between careless and reckless and it seems to be a big difference, not only in the definition but in the penalties. Long story short, I went on the PennDOT site and paid $5 to get my MVR for the past 10 years and the violation back in Feb. 2009 was just a careless driving. Does anyone know if that would make a difference if I called the companies back?
     
    metaluzc, Sep 30, 2011
    metaluzc, Sep 30, 2011
    #1
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  3. Sep 30, 2011 #2
    Okieron

    Okieron Crusty Okie

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    Give it a try
     
    Okieron, Sep 30, 2011
    Okieron, Sep 30, 2011
    #2
  4. Sep 30, 2011 #3
    PackRatTDI

    PackRatTDI Licensed to Ill

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    Just curious, what did you do to get charged with careless driving?

    When I was young and stupid, I got dinged for 98 in a 55 while testing my souped up Ford Contour. 2 mph more under NM law (where I was living) and I'd have been charged with reckless driving. As it was I got 8 points right there on my CDL and almost got fired from Pepsi for not reporting it right away.
     
    PackRatTDI, Sep 30, 2011
    PackRatTDI, Sep 30, 2011
    #3
  5. Sep 30, 2011 #4
    metaluzc

    metaluzc Bobtail Member

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    Aug 23, 2011
    Morris Run, PA
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    I understand being young and stupid, I got caught when I was 16 doing a brake stand in a '85 IROC with the smoke just a rollin' from the rear tires :). As for the careless driving one, it was almost three years ago before I had my CDL but I was turning in to a parking lot from a middle turning lane at night and as I was turning in a car coming from the opposite direction hit the rear passenger side of my pick-up. I got a careless driving and the other driver got a speeding ticket. I think it was a careless rather than reckless violation because I didn't intentionally try to get hit.
     
    metaluzc, Sep 30, 2011
    metaluzc, Sep 30, 2011
    #4
  7. Sep 30, 2011 #5
    Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Not all states even have a careless driving statute. California does not. But for the states that do have it, it is sort of a "catch all." It means that the cop thinks you screwed up somehow, but can't find an exact code section to match what you did. It seems to be most often used when there is an accident, or at least a very near miss.

    Reckless on the other hand, means that you are doing something with no regard for the consequences. Knowing full well that what you are doing may kill or maim someone, you go ahead and do it anyway. A charge of reckless driving will often include two or more other moving violations that are of a serious nature.

    As you see, there is a hell of a lot of difference there.

    By all means, you should recontact whatever companies told you the reckless disqualified you. You now have your record print out in hand, and KNOW what is on it.

    The lesson here, be sure WHAT you are talking about when applying for a job. Just misspeaking can keep you from getting that job that you really want, and would otherwise qualify for.

    Good luck!
     
    Big Don, Sep 30, 2011
    Big Don, Sep 30, 2011
    #5
    metaluzc Thanks this.
  8. Sep 30, 2011 #6
    metaluzc

    metaluzc Bobtail Member

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    Morris Run, PA
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    Thanks. Yeah, I looked up reckless driving in more detail and in PA if someone is charged with that violation, they automatically lose their license for a period of time and receive a hefty fine whereas careless is just a reduced fine. I wasn't positive of the violation when I called so I went with the more serious charge rather than saying it was careless to only find out later I "lied" about the ticket.
     
    metaluzc, Sep 30, 2011
    metaluzc, Sep 30, 2011
    #6
  9. Sep 30, 2011 #7
    Big Don

    Big Don "Old Fart"

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    Utah's DIXIE!
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    Well at least you were erring on the side of caution. But now you know the difference, and what you were actually found guilty of, or plead guilty to, however it went.

    Careless is sort of "You were driving H. U. A."

    Reckless is like "You just didn't give a F who you killed."

    :biggrin_25513:
     
    Big Don, Sep 30, 2011
    Big Don, Sep 30, 2011
    #7
    Roknric Thanks this.
  10. Sep 30, 2011 #8
    Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Years ago, in Ca., reckless was as serious as DUI. In fact, some DUI's were reduced to reckless, but insurance companies were on to it.
     
    Allow Me., Sep 30, 2011
    Allow Me., Sep 30, 2011
    #8
  11. Sep 30, 2011 #9
    brsims

    brsims Road Train Member

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    Wow, didn't even know PA had a careless driving catagory. Good to know, not that I drive either carelessly or recklessly. Not anymore, anyway...
     
    brsims, Sep 30, 2011
    brsims, Sep 30, 2011
    #9
  12. Oct 1, 2011 #10
    andy

    andy Light Load Member

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    Oct 16, 2010
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    Here in Montana 15 mph over is reckless.
     
    andy, Oct 1, 2011
    andy, Oct 1, 2011
    #10
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