Reckless Driving in Wisconsin

Reckless driving is defined as one who endangers the safety of any person or property by the negligent operation of a vehicle on a highway.  The state must prove the person operated on a highway, in a manner that created a risk of death or great bodily harm and the risk was unreasonable and substantial and the driver should have been aware of the risk.

A first offense reckless driving is punishable by forfeiture of not less than $25 nor more than $200.  If a person gets a second conviction within four years, the reckless driving can be charged as a crime with a one year max in jail.  Reckless driving as a forfeiture is a good amendment to a charge of OWI.  Some times in cases with low bac such as .07 or .08 a prosecutor will agree to amend to reckless driving.  This saves the driver a lot of money in fines, costs, and insurance premiums.