What happens if a driver is convicted of reckless driving and aggressive driving?

When a driver is convicted of both reckless driving and aggressive driving in North Carolina, they are subject to points being assessed against their driving record. The law stipulates that points are assigned based on the severity of the offenses. In this case, the conviction with the greater point assessment will apply, meaning that the driver will have points assigned from the more serious of the two infractions.

Reckless driving is considered a more severe infraction compared to aggressive driving, carrying a higher point penalty. Consequently, the outcome is that the driver will receive points from the greatest offense rather than accumulating points for both. This approach reflects the legal framework aiming to encourage safe driving behaviors while recognizing that multiple infractions can be evaluated under a more stringent standard.

In practical terms, this means that while the driver faces serious consequences, the penalty system is structured to avoid excessive duplication of points for closely related offenses, focusing instead on the more significant violation. Understanding this distinction can be crucial for evaluating the potential consequences of traffic violations accurately.