Legal Question in Traffic Law in Virginia

Can I be charged with racing if i had no intention of racing and didnt break the speed limit? I always accelerate from lights quickly because my car is quick but I Dont break the speed limit. Today a modified civic pulled up next to me and after the light turned green I accelerated slowly so I dont spin tires, and then gave it gas to quickly get up to 45mph not even getting into 3rd gear. The civic decided to do the same and chirped its tires a tiny bit doing so and sped up to try and match my speed. An officer a car or two behind us saw us and claimed we were racing. That we spun tires, he saw smoke, and that we took off. I had no desire or intention of racing the other driver and we didnt exceed the 45 mph. I went back to the scene and took pictures to show there were no tire marks and that we didnt spin tires. Do I need to worry about this? Im going into the navy and this can destroy my contract with them :(


Asked on 3/30/14, 9:16 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Michael Hendrickson Law Office Michael E. Hendrickson

Looks like a question of what might be termed "he said vs. we said", i.e., you

(and your alleged racing companion) may have to challenge the officer's version of the facts at a trial of the matter in the traffic court in

which you've been charged.

And, yes, you may have something "to worry about" since I believe racing

is defined as one of 15 or so forms of reckless driving enumerated in the traffic code of the Commonwealth which are also considered criminal misdemeanor offenses which as you've noted could have an unwholesome effect on your future prospects with the U.S. Navy.if you were to be convicted of this charge.

Read more
Answered on 3/30/14, 9:49 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Traffic Law questions and answers in Virginia