Failure to Maintain Control Ticket = Reckless Driving Ticket

I’ve written before about single vehicle accidents and how they might be dismissed. But many people are confused about the nature of their ticket.

A lot of accident tickets just have something like “failure to maintain control” written on them. It’s simply not clear what that charge is all about, until you look up the law/code section online.

Is a Failure to Maintain Control Ticket The Same as a Reckless Driving Ticket?

Unless you’re charged under a local code, “failure to maintain control” is going to be a reckless driving ticket. That’s right; it’s a class 1 misdemeanor under 46.2-853.

I think some officers don’t write “reckless driving” on the ticket to appease drivers at the scene. They don’t want people to freak out right there in front of them, so they write “failure to maintain control.” Then when you get home, you realize the ticket is a bit more serious.

Here’s the good news: many fail to maintain control tickets can be reduced to a lesser offense, such as improper driving. And some of them can be beaten completely. It definitely depends upon the facts and circumstances of the accident and your prior record.

Video: Virginia Reckless Driving Requires Driving the Vehicle

Contact Our Experienced Virginia Reckless Driving Lawyer Today

If you’re charged with “failure to maintain control”, you should definitely consult with a local traffic attorney about your options.

You need an attorney’s help with your reckless driving defense. At Flusche & Fitz, we are experienced traffic attorneys in the Spotsylvania, Stafford, Fredericksburg, King George, and Caroline traffic courts. I regularly handle cases in front of these judges.

Contact our office to discuss your legal options today.

Andrew Flusche

My name is Andrew Flusche. I am a traffic and misdemeanor defense lawyer in Virginia. I limit my practice to traffic tickets and misdemeanor defense, so I know the ins and outs of these offenses. I literally wrote the book on reckless driving in Virginia which you can get on Amazon here or download for free here. I opened my practice in 2008 after earning my Juris Doctor degree from the University of Virginia School of Law. Since then, I have earned over 600 5-star reviews from happy clients on Google, Yelp, and Facebook. If you’ve been charged with a misdemeanor offense in Virginia, please don’t hesitate to contact me. Your initial consultation is always free, and you'll talk directly with me about the details of your case.