My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: ca
Thanks in advance for your input.
Before I start, I want to state that I admit to wrongdoing, I realize i set a bad example and there are several violations which I could have been cited for and I take responsibility for those violations, however I think in this situation, the punishment may be a little excessive and unreasonable. For the record, I am 37 yrs old with a perfect driving record. I also want to state from the time I was pulled over until the time the officer was done with me, I acted with the upmost respect, did not try to talk my way out of my faults, nor did I rebut any of the officers proposed allegations (despite their outlandish context). So with that said, this is my story.
For the last six months, my 10 year old daughter has been asking me to take her in my Z06 corvette and do a donut. After seeing a video of me completing one at a High Performance Driving School, this has been at the top of her "things dad needs to do with me" list. I am a regular track event participant, having completed over a dozen performance driving classes, and from time to time sit in as a ride along instructor as needed for the beginner drivers. Well, I was scheduled to have new rear tires installed on a Thurs prior to an upcoming track event that weekend. So on Wed, my daughter asked me again to take her out, and this time with a little more ammunition as I could not use the "its a waste of rubber" excuse that I had used the last six months. So I agreed to take her. We waited until night time (9pm) and drove to a secluded, private, completely vacant parking lot located at a local community college. I was familiar with the lot as I fly my RC plane out there. The lot has no concrete parking curbs, barriers, or buildings (picture attached). I did a drive through to check for any debris, and proceeded to do ONE controlled donut (car wasn't moving more than 10mph) and then slowly drove towards the exit at which point a cop parked in the dark off in the distance (patrols the area until 10pm) raced up to me, lights blaring, and ran up to my window with his gun unholstered screaming for me to get out of the car, I had stopped the car as soon as I saw his lights. He proceeded with the usual process ending in a reckless driving ticket to me and 30 day impoundment (absolutely no drugs or alcohol involved), not to mention a devastated 10yr old daughter.
Now, the law defines reckless driving as “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property”. It further goes on to say a person acts with wanton disregard for safety when (1) he or she is aware that his or her actions present a SUBSTANTIAL and unjustifiable risk of harm, and (2) he or she intentionally ignores that risk. Being there were no pedestrians present, no cars in the lot, no property to be damaged, I think reckless is a stretch, but possibly justifiable under certain circumstances (i.e. teen going crazy with multiple donuts/figure 8's) However, the fact I am an experienced high performance driver having been professionally instructed on controlled drifting and instructed others, I do not believe in any way that I acted with wanton disregard for safety.
I am respectfully asking for opinions on whether or not my specific situation constitutes reckless driving? With no disrespect to the law, or those who uphold the law, I believe the citing officer abused his authority and acted unreasonably, causing an unnecessary, major financial/emotional strain. Before I get flamed for disrespecting an officer, I ask you to try and take an impartial view. I honestly do have the upmost respect for LE, my brother is a 22yr CHP motors vet, and I have nothing but love for him. I appreciate and value your wisdom.
Regards,
MGMG
Thanks in advance for your input.
Before I start, I want to state that I admit to wrongdoing, I realize i set a bad example and there are several violations which I could have been cited for and I take responsibility for those violations, however I think in this situation, the punishment may be a little excessive and unreasonable. For the record, I am 37 yrs old with a perfect driving record. I also want to state from the time I was pulled over until the time the officer was done with me, I acted with the upmost respect, did not try to talk my way out of my faults, nor did I rebut any of the officers proposed allegations (despite their outlandish context). So with that said, this is my story.
For the last six months, my 10 year old daughter has been asking me to take her in my Z06 corvette and do a donut. After seeing a video of me completing one at a High Performance Driving School, this has been at the top of her "things dad needs to do with me" list. I am a regular track event participant, having completed over a dozen performance driving classes, and from time to time sit in as a ride along instructor as needed for the beginner drivers. Well, I was scheduled to have new rear tires installed on a Thurs prior to an upcoming track event that weekend. So on Wed, my daughter asked me again to take her out, and this time with a little more ammunition as I could not use the "its a waste of rubber" excuse that I had used the last six months. So I agreed to take her. We waited until night time (9pm) and drove to a secluded, private, completely vacant parking lot located at a local community college. I was familiar with the lot as I fly my RC plane out there. The lot has no concrete parking curbs, barriers, or buildings (picture attached). I did a drive through to check for any debris, and proceeded to do ONE controlled donut (car wasn't moving more than 10mph) and then slowly drove towards the exit at which point a cop parked in the dark off in the distance (patrols the area until 10pm) raced up to me, lights blaring, and ran up to my window with his gun unholstered screaming for me to get out of the car, I had stopped the car as soon as I saw his lights. He proceeded with the usual process ending in a reckless driving ticket to me and 30 day impoundment (absolutely no drugs or alcohol involved), not to mention a devastated 10yr old daughter.
Now, the law defines reckless driving as “willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property”. It further goes on to say a person acts with wanton disregard for safety when (1) he or she is aware that his or her actions present a SUBSTANTIAL and unjustifiable risk of harm, and (2) he or she intentionally ignores that risk. Being there were no pedestrians present, no cars in the lot, no property to be damaged, I think reckless is a stretch, but possibly justifiable under certain circumstances (i.e. teen going crazy with multiple donuts/figure 8's) However, the fact I am an experienced high performance driver having been professionally instructed on controlled drifting and instructed others, I do not believe in any way that I acted with wanton disregard for safety.
I am respectfully asking for opinions on whether or not my specific situation constitutes reckless driving? With no disrespect to the law, or those who uphold the law, I believe the citing officer abused his authority and acted unreasonably, causing an unnecessary, major financial/emotional strain. Before I get flamed for disrespecting an officer, I ask you to try and take an impartial view. I honestly do have the upmost respect for LE, my brother is a 22yr CHP motors vet, and I have nothing but love for him. I appreciate and value your wisdom.
Regards,
MGMG
Reckless Driving: Reckless Driving Charge for a Parking Lot Donut
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