Reckless Nurse?

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On my way to work this weekend I recently got pulled over for speeding on the Dulles Toll Road in VA. VA considers anything over 80 reckless driving - a level 1 misdemeanor. I will be lucky if I avoid jail time and will probably get stuck with the criminal record. What will be the ramifications of this in terms of obtaining a license and employment? Does reckless driving = reckless nurse? My reckless driving ticket was for speeding only. No accident, no DUI. And I have a clean record otherwise.

WOW ***** WOW ***** WOW

we have some speed traps in my neck of the woods but i have never heard of anything like this

speeding is a crimminal offense with possible jail time, the only time i ever heard of anyone getting jail time is when they ignored their summons or were impaired but simple speeding is not in this catagory

here you would have a choice of mailing ticket in with amount of ticket you can determine by calling city court or parish courthouse

or you can wait until the day of court and appear with the option to plea guilty usually you can plea down to a non-moving offense with a subsequent cut in the amount of fine

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I used to live in Fredericksburg and frequently drove to DC.

For those that have never driven in DC metro traffic- 80 is about the norm for rush hour speed. All 6-8 lanes in one direction- it is absolutely nuts and taking life in your own hands. Try to go slower and not with traffic and you are almost causing an accident or nearly getting picked off/cut off/ran off the road by crazy drivers. They also had at one time the highest incidence of road rage at one time, not sure if this is still true.

I feel for you on ticket and for your daily commute too, I don't miss that one bit!

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Kukajoo, you are right that DC traffic is its own animal. I've lived in Boston & NY but everyone goes way too fast in DC so you are more likely to get in an accident if you go a normal speed. I can see your justification but I am sure you don't need a lecture on speeding.

In MA if you have a record you can get it expunged or if its >5 yrs old then I think they consider you rehabbed unless its a major crime (traffic tix included).

Please get a lawyer! I'm not trying to line anyone's pockets but the court may give you one for free if you cannot afford it.

Wishing you all the best and no angst,

Diane

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I will Drive Boston, NYC, FL, anywhere really. I don't mind driving right into Manhattan but DC is a nightmare. I have seen the aftermath and not trying to justify, just think there is too little road there for the amount of traffic and there has to be a better answer than fines like that.

No tix for me

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i'm from socal, and people do 80 like it's 30. i really don't see what the big deal is? does VA have a lot of extra time on their hands?

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Specializes in Perinatal, Education.

I am also from soCal and 80 is nothing! I do 80 and am regularly passed--that is when we are not sitting still in traffic. It is really one or the other. Right now I am slowing down to save gas $$. I would LOVE to live where you can go 80 during rush hour. We go about 5.

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Something for people to check into at the courthouse if there is a criminal charge is about the possibility of an application for expungement, to eventually clear the record.

Expungement only clears the public record but background checks will pick it up. The conviction stays on your record but John Q can not see it.

Only felonies that bar nursing licensure will hurt you per VA BON. I had a reckless driving and suspended license for 6 months and it caused no problem.

Move to MD. They are much nicer here :) Our taxes are so much nicer too.

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Specializes in Just getting started!.
On my way to work this weekend I recently got pulled over for speeding on the Dulles Toll Road in VA. VA considers anything over 80 reckless driving - a level 1 misdemeanor. I will be lucky if I avoid jail time and will probably get stuck with the criminal record. What will be the ramifications of this in terms of obtaining a license and employment? Does reckless driving = reckless nurse? My reckless driving ticket was for speeding only. No accident, no DUI. And I have a clean record otherwise.

That is totally ridiculous!

Here in So. Calif. were insane - we get tickets for driving to slow on the freeways (a friend got on the other day). California drivers are crazy, I've had people honk and flash their lights to move, and I'm doing 80+ (seriously). I've done 90 and cops are passing me!

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA, MED-SURG.
WOW ***** WOW ***** WOW

we have some speed traps in my neck of the woods but i have never heard of anything like this

speeding is a crimminal offense with possible jail time, the only time i ever heard of anyone getting jail time is when they ignored their summons or were impaired but simple speeding is not in this catagory

here you would have a choice of mailing ticket in with amount of ticket you can determine by calling city court or parish courthouse

or you can wait until the day of court and appear with the option to plea guilty usually you can plea down to a non-moving offense with a subsequent cut in the amount of fine

CHATSDALE - I had to laugh when I read your post. Been there, done that I have lived here almost all my life. As soon as I can remember where all the little "hick town" sheriff staff or city police hide for their speed traps, they move and find a new sign or store to camoflage them.

Anne, RNC

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