---
title: "What is the difference between reckless driving and speeding in Rhode Island?"
description: "The difference between reckless driving and speeding in Rhode Island is the difference between a criminal charge and a civil ticket. Speeding is a civil moving violation handled at the Traffic..."
url: https://bankandmunns.com/faq-items/what-is-the-difference-between-reckless-driving-and-speeding-in-rhode-island/
date: 2026-08-14
modified: 2026-08-14
author: "Bank and Munns"
type: avada_faq
lang: en
---

# What is the difference between reckless driving and speeding in Rhode Island?

The difference between reckless driving and speeding in Rhode Island is the difference between a criminal charge and a civil ticket. Speeding is a civil moving violation handled at the Traffic Tribunal, where the worst outcome is a fine, points, and higher insurance, with no criminal record. Reckless driving is a criminal charge for driving in a way that endangers others, and a conviction can mean a record, jail exposure, and a license suspension. Speed can be part of a reckless driving case, but the charge is about dangerous operation as a whole, not just exceeding the limit. This is why a very high speed, or speeding combined with weaving, racing, or near-misses, can be charged as reckless rather than as a simple speeding violation.