Reckless and Negligent Driving
AS 28.35.400 — reckless driving up to $1,000 and one year; negligent driving is an infraction
Reckless driving is driving in a way that creates a substantial and unjustifiable risk of harm to a person or property, a risk so serious that consciously ignoring it, or failing to see it, is a gross deviation from how a reasonable person would act.
Who handles this in Alaska: Alaska Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service; and legal aid programs and the state offices, listed in the Alaska directory.
Reckless driving is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, up to one year in jail, or both.
Negligent driving is driving in a way that creates an unjustifiable risk and actually endangers a person or property. It is a lesser offense included in reckless driving, so a person charged with reckless driving can be convicted of negligent driving instead, and it is an infraction.
- A crash happened.
- Someone, the driver included, took evasive action to avoid one.
- Someone stopped or slowed suddenly to avoid one.
- A person or property was otherwise endangered.
Races and exhibitions. Lawfully run car, snowmobile, motorcycle and other motor vehicle racing or exhibition events are outside both laws.
Sources for this section (2)
- AS 28.35.400 — Reckless driving
- AS 28.35.410 — Negligent driving
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of October 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Alaska attorney.