North Carolina Reckless Driving

What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? North Carolina
Recently I was driving 8 hours home from college and I was in North Carolina. I was entering an area of road work and I was in the left lane, which I was in was ending. I was following a pickup truck and I could not see around it to know how soon the lane was actually ending. I began to make my way over into the right lane so I looked to my right to see no opening and when I turned around the car in front of me was at nearly at a dead stop. In order to avoid it I went left in between the road and the guardrail. I slightly hit the guardrail and then could not stop in time to avoid one of those big orange arrow signs, usually seen at construction sights, that signal traffic to merge into the next lane. My car had a fair amount of damage but I did a small amount of damage to the sign itself. When the cop showed up to the crash he cited me with reckless driving to endanger, which I now have a court date for. I feel as though I acted in the best way I could based on the situation I avoided the other car and brought my car to its stopping point with the least damage. I do realize that because I was the car behind it is my fault. Based on the situation I do not believe it is worthy of reckless driving. What should I do in this situation and what am I looking at with respect to fines and license points? If this is explained to a judge would that be sufficient to reduce the charge? Also, I was going slightly above the speed limit when this occurred(5 to 10 mph). is that a possible charge considering no one actually witnessed that?

Here's the text of the statute:


You were speeding in a construction zone, following too close, failed to maintain control of your vehicle and you ran into an four foot blinking yellow arrow. You think you acted "the best you could" ? Sounds like there was a lack of due caution and circumspection.

Sure go to court and try to sell the judge on that. Maybe he will reduce it to speeding through a work zone, also a class 2 misdemeanor.

I'd suggest a lawyer, I don't recommend people go to court without one when jail time is involved, and certainly not those as deluded as you are.

What state is your license in?

Reckless driving is usually a step down from DWI. You need an attorney!



PS I have no sorrow for you. My Brother is over a road crew. They are just out there doing their jobs trying to NOT get hit. This should not be the case.