Laws regarding reckless driving charges vary from state to state—including the name of the offense and its definition. This offense may also be known as reckless operation of a motor vehicle or driving to endanger—but generally requires that the government (prosecution) prove the driver was willfully operating a motor vehicle in a way that showed indifference to the safety of persons or property.

And in some states certain driving behavior may be considered reckless driving per se (pronounced pur-Say)—which is reckless driving by definition or “on its face.” For example, if a driver is driving more than 30 miles per hour over the speed limit or is engaged in street racing, the driver may be charged with reckless driving per se, and the prosecutor will not be required to prove any other elements of the reckless driving offense, as such behavior is reckless driving by definition—with the definition being provided by the state legislature in the traffic code.

As with many traffic violations, the officer issuing the citation and the prosecutor have significant discretion in determining whether there was a violation of a traffic law and whether the violation constitutes a certain offense, as defined by the state legislature in the traffic code or in a municipal ordinance.

This discretion to issue a ticket or citation and prosecute the charge against the driver is balanced by the discretion of the jury or judge in determining whether the prosecution met its burden of proof sufficient to convict the driver (for a criminal offense) or find the driver responsible (for a civil infraction, violation, or offense).

In Ohio, reckless driving is typically referred to as 'reckless operation of a vehicle' and is addressed under Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.20. The law requires that the driver operates a vehicle 'in willful or wanton disregard of the safety of persons or property.' This means that the prosecution must prove that the driver's actions were intentional or with reckless indifference. Ohio law does not automatically categorize certain behaviors as reckless driving per se; instead, each case is evaluated based on the specific circumstances. However, actions such as excessive speeding or street racing could be considered evidence of reckless operation. Law enforcement officers and prosecutors have discretion in issuing citations and pursuing charges, but ultimately, a judge or jury must be convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that the driver's conduct meets the legal definition of reckless operation for a criminal conviction. For lesser traffic violations, the standard of proof may be lower, such as a preponderance of the evidence for civil infractions.