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<law><site_title>Virginia Decoded</site_title><site_url>https://vacode.org</site_url><law_id>72718</law_id><section_number>46.2-869</section_number><catch_line>Improper driving; penalty</catch_line><edition url="https://vacode.org/2025/" slug="2025" current="TRUE" last_updated="">2025</edition><referred_to_by><reference>46.2-492</reference></referred_to_by><structure><unit label="title" level="1" order_by="1" identifier="46.2">Motor Vehicles</unit><unit label="subtitle" level="2" order_by="1" identifier="III">Operation</unit><unit label="chapter" level="3" order_by="1" identifier="8">Regulation of Traffic</unit><unit label="article" level="4" order_by="1" identifier="7">Reckless Driving and Improper Driving</unit></structure><text>
						<section><p>Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this article, upon the <span class="dictionary">trial</span> of any person charged with <span class="dictionary">reckless driving</span> where the degree of culpability is slight, the <span class="dictionary">jury</span> or the <span class="dictionary">court</span> trying the case without a <span class="dictionary">jury</span> may find the <span class="dictionary">accused</span> not guilty of <span class="dictionary">reckless driving</span> but guilty of improper driving. However, an attorney for the Commonwealth may reduce a charge of <span class="dictionary">reckless driving</span> to improper driving at any time prior to the <span class="dictionary">court</span>&#x2019;s decision and shall notify the <span class="dictionary">court</span> of such change. Improper driving shall be punishable as a <span class="dictionary">traffic infraction</span> punishable by a fine of not more than $500.</p></section></text><history>1966, c. 511, &#xA7; 46.1-192.2; 1972, c. 278; 1989, c. 727; 1990, c. 770; 2000, c. 340; 2025, c. 357.</history><metadata></metadata></law>
