Speeding behaviors in Virginia
If you’ve received a speeding ticket in Virginia, you’re among a rising driving statistic for the state. During the 2020 pandemic shutdown, travel and commuting came to a screeching halt across the United States. Many insurers, including Northern Neck Insurance Company, voluntarily returned car insurance premium due to a reduction in miles driven as Virginians quarantined. With significantly fewer cars on the roads, you would think that translated into fewer speeding violations in Virginia. That's not what happened.
When Insurify nationally ranked speeding tickets in 2021, Virginia landed in second place for the highest number of speeding tickets. Only second to Ohio, Virginia packed a whopping 15.76% of drivers on record for speeding infractions and a 34% higher rate of getting caught speeding than any other state. By 2023, Virginia was the state with the most reckless drivers in the country, with a 279% higher percentage than the national average!
Virginia remains in the top 10 states for speeding-related incidents
The risks associated with reckless driving in Virginia extend beyond traffic citations. In 2022 and 2023, and the Virginia State Police banned ticket quotas and launched Operation DISS-rupt (distracted driving, impaired driving, speed compliance, and seat belt safety). The initiative increases the presence of troopers along an entire interstate corridor for two days, concentrating on all safety issues, including speeding. While making an impact, Virginia is still ranked in the top 10 states for speed-related incidents in 2025. In fact, Virginia ranked 4th in the country at 5.9 speed-related incidents per 1,000 drivers.
Does Virginia have higher rates of speed enforcement than other states?
Virginia enacted several new traffic laws in recent years, yet reckless driving has consistently been a prevalent issue in the state. In terms of speeding, any driver who surpasses the speed limit by over 20 mph is considered to be engaging in reckless driving. Additionally, operating a vehicle in a manner that threatens the safety of others or their property can also result in a reckless driving charge. For example, if an officer cites you for violating Virginia's hands-free law you can be charged with reckless driving as well if your actions endangered someone else's life.
It is therefore not surprising that Virginia is moving ahead with new speeding legislation. House Bill 2096 has been signed into law and will launch the Intelligent Speed Assistance Program on July 1, 2026. This program gives Virginia judges an important new way to address the sharp rise in reckless driving and racing cases seen across the Commonwealth since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Virginia's new speed limiting devices for Virginia reckless driving offenses
Starting July of 2026, judges may order the installation of an “Intelligent Speed Assistance System" under HB 2096. This system “limits the speed at which a motor vehicle is capable of traveling based on the applicable speed limit where such motor vehicle is being operated.” Habitual speeders would be given the option of the intelligent speed assistance device, stopping them from breaking the limit but keeping them on the road.
Reckless driving Virginia: higher risk than other states
Speeding, included reckless driving offenses in Virginia, leads to increased automobile fatalities. Even with a higher population density than other states with increased reckless driving rates, Old Dominion drivers were also 73% more likely to engage in illegal reckless driving behavior than any state in America during the pandemic lockdown . Virginia surpassed every other state with 66 reckless driving violations for every 10,000 residents.
Types of reckless driving in Virginia
Here are some other aggressive driving offenses that could lead to a reckless driving charge in Virginia:
- Speeding in excess of 85 mph
- Illegal passing
- Failing to yield right of way
- Drag racing or spinning your wheels
- Driving too fast for the weather conditions
- Driving an overloaded car or truck
- Causing a crash
- Passing a school bus
- Driving with an obstructed view
How does Virginia's driving points system work?
Virginia uses a point system to rate drivers. You receive demerit points for unsafe driving and safe driving points for good driving. Most traffic violations carry demerit points. Traffic convictions may stay on your record for a certain number of years depending on the severity.
How many points are given for speeding in Virginia? Speeding 10 mph or more above the posted speed limit and other reckless driving charges in Virginia result in four to five points on your license and can stay on your record for anywhere from three to five years. More severe Virginia reckless driving violations, considered felonies or misdemeanors, can result in six demerit points and stay for eleven years. Demerit points are also assigned for traffic convictions that occur in other states.
How do speeding and reckless driving violations affect your car insurance rates?
All moving violations affect both your insurance rates and your eligibility for coverage by carriers. The Virginia DMV records convictions on your driving record and assigns demerit points based on how serious the offense is, and then reports this information to your insurance company.
Insurers typically review minor traffic violations for about three years and major violations for five years or longer. In 2026, high-risk drivers in Virginia pay an average of approximately $2,388 per year for car insurance. A reckless driving conviction can increase that cost substantially, with some estimates placing average annual premiums at more than $3,361.
The bottom line is the more points you have on your Virginia driving record, the higher risk you pose for future claims. The higher the risk, the more car insurance will cost you, and determine if a carrier is willing to assume the risk to insure you. When shopping for insurance, three to five years of your DVM driving record will most likely impact your insurance rate. You also may not be considered for a policy at all if you have significant infractions.
Car insurance rates and good driver discounts
On the flip side, more shopping options and competitive auto insurance pricing are the reward for a good driving record. Virginia's DMV rewards good drivers with "safe points"; one for every year you hold a state license with no driving violations or suspensions. You can accumulate up to five safe points, which can indicate less risk to insurers.
Insurance premiums can run high for other reasons. Lack of driving experience and age can play a role in assessing risk. Young and inexperienced drivers are more often responsible for insurance claims, so adding a new teen driver is always bound to provide some sticker shock. The good news is most carriers offer discounts. If your son or daughter just got their license and has great grades, check to see if your Virginia car insurance carrier has a good student discount program. If you are over 55, you can take a driver improvement course to attain a senior driving discount.
The insurance benefits to slowing down are pretty clear, not to mention the safety implications for Virginians. If you've got a few dings, doing what you can to avoid new ones and letting time erase the old is a win-win!
Sources:
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(opens in a new window)Virginia.gov: DMV – Moving Violations and Points Assessment (opens in a new window)
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Insurify.com: 10 States with the Most Speeding Tickets (opens in a new window)
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https://www.lendingtree.com/insurance/best-worst-drivers-study/
THE NORTHERN NECK INSURANCE INTEGRITY PROMISE — We pledge to provide straight talk and good counsel from our NNINS Virginia insurance experts through our blog. While we hope you find this to be a helpful source of information, it does not replace the guidance of a licensed insurance professional, nor does it modify the terms of your Northern Neck Insurance policy in any way. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy.
