From July 12-18, the CVSA will conduct Operation Safe Driver Week with a primary focus on identifying careless, dangerous, or reckless driving.
For those moving freight through the Santa Clarita or Castaic Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Facility (CVEF) on the I-5, the scrutiny will be intense.
CA Vehicle Code (CVC) Section 23103 defines reckless driving as:
“A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.”
The CHP inspectors at the Castaic CVEF and along the I-5 corridor will be watching for any behavior that suggests a driver is operating with a "willful or wanton disregard" for safety.
Defining "Willful or Wanton Disregard" in Relation to Reckless Driving
Although commercial drivers are rarely charged with reckless driving, things happen.
In California, reckless driving is often charged as a misdemeanor offense. It is defined by the driver’s intent—specifically, whether they showed a "willful or wanton disregard" for the safety of persons or property.
“A misdemeanor is a type of offensepunishable under criminal law. A misdemeanor is typically a crime punishable by less than 12 months in jail.”— Cornell Law School Legal Information Institute (LII) WEX Definitions: Misdemeanor.
During Operation Safe Driver Week, CHP officers may interpret unsafe lane changes, fatigued driving, tailgating, or swerving as evidence of this disregard.
However, things aren’t always as they seem, and there are always two sides to every story. Perhaps the driver in front was “brake checking” or driving erratically. Make sure your side is heard with the help of a knowledgeable and experienced CDL traffic attorney.
If you are cited near or at the Castaic CVEF, your case will likely be handled at the Chatsworth/Valencia Courthouse for LA County, CA, or the Lamont Courthouse for Kern County, CA.
Because a judge—not a prosecutor—typically decides traffic infractions in CA (unless it is a misdemeanor charge), presenting a strong defense against the "willful" label could be essential to protecting your career.
Reckless driving is one of the traffic violations that could be charged as a misdemeanor by an overzealous law enforcement officer but could be seen as a “wobbler” by the judge. The judge has the discretion to downgrade a misdemeanor to an infraction when it doesn’t meet the intent of the traffic code.
However, they might not do that on their own. A request from a reputable CDL attorney might be all they need to consider it. Quite frankly, avoiding a VC 23103 even as an infraction is key for truckers because of the serious points it carries. Alternative charges or a dismissal is needed to avoid the brutal consequences of a reckless driving.
The consequences of a conviction for reckless driving include confinement in “…county jail for not less than five days nor more than 90 days or by a fine of not less than one hundred forty-five dollars ($145) nor more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.”
However, the fine quoted in CVC Section 23103 is the “base fine.” Once the court adds the ten state and local penalties, surcharges, and assessments, the fine could total $3000 or more.
The FMCSA and the "Serious Offense" Label
If you are convicted of reckless driving, the FMCSA classifies that as a serious offense.
This classification has immediate impacts on your PSP and your carrier's CSA/SMS scores and percentiles.
Under the changes to the CSA and SMS regulations at the FMCSA, Out of Service (OOS) Orders, serious and major offenses are now assessed a severity score of two (the highest penalty under the new system), while all others are assigned one.
- A first conviction is recorded on your PSP for three years.
- A second conviction for a serious offense within a three-year period results in a 60-day driver disqualification.
- Subsequent convictions lead to even longer periods of mandatory downtime, and repeated convictions will result in a lifetime ban from interstate commercial driving.
Protecting Your CDL During High-Enforcement Weeks
The best way to avoid a reckless driving charge is to maintain a professional "space cushion" and strictly adhere to the speed limit for commercial vehicles.
Remember, an officer's perception of your driving at the Castaic CVEF can lead to a charge that stays with you for years if convicted. If cited, consult a CDL traffic attorney immediately.
Contact Bigger & Harman About Reckless Driving in a Commercial Vehicle Today
If you were cited for reckless driving or any moving violation on the I-5, don't face this possible misdemeanor charge without legal representation that understands the demands of commercial driving.
At Bigger & Harman, APC, we represent commercial drivers in the Chatsworth/Valencia and Lamont Courthouses to help them achieve the best possible results.
Call Bigger & Harman, APC, at (661) 349-9300—859-1177 para Español—today to discuss your case and protect your livelihood.
You can also email us at attorney@biggerharmanlaw.com or use our secure website contact form.
Download our e-book, Protecting Your Commercial Driver License.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) Section
Q: When is the 2026 CVSA Operation Safe Driver Week?
A: This enforcement and education event takes place from July 12-18.
Q: Is reckless driving in a CMV a felony in California?
A: It is typically charged as a misdemeanor, but it is considered a serious offense by the FMCSA.
Q: Which court handles tickets from the Castaic CVEF?
A: Tickets from this facility are generally handled at the Chatsworth/Valencia Courthouse or the Lamont Courthouse. Check your court notice or consult a CDL traffic attorney.
References:
CVC Section 23103, Driving Offenses.
The CVSA.org article, CVSA’s Operation Safe Driver Week Scheduled for July 12-18.
The DOT FMCSA 49 CFR Part 383.51, Paragraph 6.2.5, Disqualification of Drivers.
The Cornell Law School LII WEX Definitions: Misdemeanor.