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Indiana statute

Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52 — Reckless driving; passing a school bus with extended stop arm; penalty; license suspension

Current through 2026 Regular Session

Part of Chapter 8: Vehicle Operation, Indiana Code.

Criminal charges under this statute

Full text of Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52

Statutory text current through the 2026 Regular Session. This publication reproduces the official statutory text; it is not the official statutes of the State of Indiana.

Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52Primary source, current through the 2026 Regular Session
Sec. 52. (a) A person who operates a vehicle and who recklessly: (1) drives at such an unreasonably high rate of speed or at such an unreasonably low rate of speed under the circumstances as to: (A) endanger the safety or the property of others; or (B) block the proper flow of traffic; (2) passes another vehicle from the rear while on a slope or on a curve where vision is obstructed for a distance of less than five hundred (500) feet ahead; (3) drives in and out of a line of traffic, except as otherwise permitted; or (4) speeds up or refuses to give one-half (1/2) of the roadway to a driver overtaking and desiring to pass; commits a Class C misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Class A misdemeanor if it causes bodily injury to a person. (b) A person who operates a vehicle and who recklessly passes a school bus stopped on a roadway or a private road when the arm signal device specified in IC 9-21-12-13 is in the device's extended position commits a Class A misdemeanor. However, the offense is a Level 6 felony if it causes bodily injury to a person, and a Level 5 felony if it causes the death of a person. (c) If an offense under subsection (a) results in damage to the property of another person, it is a Class B misdemeanor and the court may recommend the suspension of the current driving license of the person convicted of the offense described in subsection (a) for a fixed period of not more than one (1) year. (d) If an offense under subsection (a) causes bodily injury to a person, the court may recommend the suspension of the driving privileges of the person convicted of the offense described in this subsection for a fixed period of not more than one (1) year. (e) In addition to any other penalty imposed under subsection (b), the court may suspend the person's driving privileges: (1) for ninety (90) days; or (2) if the person has committed at least one (1) previous offense under this section or IC 9-21-12-1 , for one (1) year. [Pre-1991 Recodification Citation: 9-4-1-56.1.]

Official sources

Legal terms used in this section

Questions this section answers

Is reckless driving; passing a school bus with extended stop arm; penalty; license suspension a felony or a misdemeanor in Indiana?

It depends on the circumstances: reckless driving; passing a school bus with extended stop arm; penalty; license suspension ranges from a Class C Misdemeanor to a Level 5 Felony in Indiana under Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52.

Reckless driving (general): Class C Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52(a)) · Reckless driving causing bodily injury: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52(a)) · Reckless driving causing property damage: Class B Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52(c)) · Passing a stopped school bus with extended stop arm: Class A Misdemeanor (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52(b)) · Passing a stopped school bus causing bodily injury: Level 6 Felony (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52(b)) · Passing a stopped school bus causing death: Level 5 Felony (Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52(b))

Which Indiana statute covers reckless driving; passing a school bus with extended stop arm; penalty; license suspension?

Reckless driving; passing a school bus with extended stop arm; penalty; license suspension is governed by Ind. Code § 9-21-8-52 (Reckless driving; passing a school bus with extended stop arm; penalty; license suspension).

This reference is informational and is not legal advice.