Driving with an obstructed view or anything that interferes with your vehicle controls can result in a reckless driving charge, regardless of your speed or if you have your hazard lights on. Obstructed view and reckless driving

§ 46.2-855 Driving With Driver's View Obstructed or Control Impaired

A person shall be guilty of reckless driving who drives a vehicle when it is so loaded, or when there are in the front seat such number of persons, as to obstruct the view of the driver to the front or sides of the vehicle or to interfere with the driver's control over the driving mechanism of the vehicle.

What This Law Means

You can be charged with reckless driving if you are carrying more passengers in the front seat than there are seatbelts or if your vehicle is so full of items and objects that it affects your ability to see clearly out the front, back, and/or side windows. Anything that impairs your ability to shift, steer, brake, or signal can also result in a citation.

However, officer discretion plays a significant role in this type of reckless driving charge. It's not necessarily illegal to have multiple passengers or to be transporting lots of stuff in your car, so it's left up to the officer to determine if your actions pose a threat to the safety of others.

Don't Let One Mistake Ruin Your Future

Reckless driving is a misdemeanor criminal offense, not a simple traffic ticket. Virginia has some of the strictest reckless driving laws in the United States, which means that simply paying the ticket and accepting the consequences would be a big mistake. If convicted, you'll face hefty fines, the possibility of jail time, a license suspension, and six demerit points on your driving record. You'll also have the stigma of a criminal record, which can affect your educational options, military service, future job prospects, and ability to rent an apartment.

Protect yourself by hiring an experienced reckless driving defense attorney. Charles V. Hardenbergh has a success rate as high as 100% in many courts throughout Virginia. Call today to schedule a free, no-obligation case review.

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