California Exhibition of Speed

While it may be a liberating sensation to travel freely along the open road, it is crucial to keep in mind that the highway should not be treated as a personal racing circuit.

California places great importance on driving safety, and participating in hazardous activities such as exceeding the speed limit or executing risky maneuvers can lead to being charged with exhibition of speed.

What is the Legal Definition of Exhibition of Speed?

According to Section 23109(c) of the California Vehicle Code, exhibition of speed is defined as:

• Driving a motor vehicle on a highway refers to operating any publicly designated roadway intended for vehicular travel.
• Engaging in reckless and hazardous driving entails excessively exceeding the speed limit, abruptly and unexpectedly accelerating, or executing perilous maneuvers that jeopardize yourself and others.
• This essential factor distinguishes the exhibition of speed in California from a mere speeding citation: the purposeful display or attempt to impress others. Merely exceeding the speed limit on its own does not suffice as grounds for an exhibition of speed accusations.

Instances of the demonstration of velocity include:

• Street racing can be defined as participating in a high-speed competition with another vehicle on public streets.
• Performing deliberate tire spinning or executing sharp turns to deliberately lose traction, often carried out in public areas to attract attention, – commonly referred to as burnouts or doughnuts.
• Exhibiting rapid acceleration when approaching a stoplight or sign demonstrates an unwarranted and potentially hazardous disregard for traffic violation regulations and overall safety.
• Engaging in the act of maneuvering between vehicles or driving on the shoulder recklessly to overtake other cars exhibits a total disregard for both your safety and that of fellow motorists.

Punishment For An Exhibition Of Speed Charge

Engaging in an exhibition of speed violation is classified as a misdemeanor in California, and the potential repercussions can be quite severe.

• A potential consequence that should not be underestimated is the possibility of spending a maximum of one year serving county jail time.
• A penalty of potentially $1,000. This substantial fine has the potential to impose a considerable economic burden on both individuals and families.
• A driver’s license suspension lasting six months can create significant disruptions in your daily routine, impacting your ability to work, run errands, and participate in social activities.
• The imposition of probation and compulsory enrollment in a traffic violator school encompasses the imposition of additional limitations and supervision in your daily life while attending traffic school and serves as a reinforcement of the importance of adhering to safe driving habits.

In addition to the immediate penalties, being convicted of an exhibition of speed in California can result in enduring adverse repercussions.

• Rising insurance costs: Insurance providers consider drivers with records of reckless driving as more risky, resulting in substantially elevated premiums.
• Difficulty obtaining employment, especially in driving-related fields: Having a record of a rate of speed conviction can raise concerns for prospective employers, especially those who demand an impeccable driving history.
• Challenges of renting an apartment or home: Certain landlords may exhibit reluctance to rent to individuals with a track record of irresponsible driving conduct, which could restrict the available housing choices.