IRONCHEF wrote:

No.  Reckless driving is reckless driving (California Vehicle Code says so) and speeding is speeding (likewise a seperate and distinct CVC section). 

Aside of the vehicle code, no, it is not the same thing.  Yes, someone speeding can also be reckless.  But when you go 56 in a 55, no, you are NOT reckless in ANY degree...especially since the "flow" of traffic is at least 65 in that same zone.

Some examples of how one can get a reckless driving ticket in my neck of the woods:
1) changing too many lanes in too short of a distance (i did 4 lanes once to make an exit in under a quarter mile, and was pulled over and chastised..not given a ticket, but chastised for "reckless driving."  I wasn't given a ticket because it was a perfectly controlled set of lane changes with no danger to others...which is why i didn't get a ticket probably.  So this is an example of the difference between reckless driving and speeding.

2) I was pulled over for going "90" on a 75 (Interstate freeway 5 SB) (I was really going 105 but the cop sucks).  When the Camaro Z28 CHP car finally caught up to me, he told me that ANY speeding ticket over 90 is an automatic "reckless driving" charge and has it's punishment seperate from the speeding charge....i'm just glad he sucks at pacing speeders.

3) Cell phone users who go too slow on a California freeway and cause traffic problems can also get a reckless driving ticket.  Can't wait for 7/1/08!!
The CHP officer that pulled me over last said they do not ticket below 80 in 65 zone - not worth their time.  of course this is if you are just going with flow of traffic and not swapping lanes, tailgating, being a nuisance, etc.

i consider splitting lanes by motorcyclists to be extremely dangerous even though it is legal to do.  all you need is one guy to switch lanes unexpectedly (even at low speed) and you get squashed.

i fully agree with the cell phone thing but i would expand this to the term 'multitasking'.  i've seen people driving 80 reading the paper, texting, yelling at their kids in the back while doing their nails.  i've even seen the obligatory VW bus with Mr. Dredlocks rolling a doobie with a big smile on his face.  these things scare me because they aren't fully paying attention to their surroundings and will likely over correct in case of a problem causing an even bigger problem.  so, i try and speed up and get ahead of them asap.

in CA, what's the deal with the left lane?  i lived in PA and left lane was for passing only.  out here, this is where old people driving buicks going 40 mpg tend to gravitate.  this stupidity causes some people (like me) to get really frustrated and pass on the right hand side.  i always yield to faster cars on left side.  in 2 seconds you can get back into that lane if you like.  sheesh.

lastly, in the central valley (above stockton and below sac) there is a huge fog problem on hiway 99.  this is where you hear of all those 50 car pileups happening.  people are hurrying and run into the fog bank and then people slow down.  unfortunately, they don't slow down enough and rear end the car in front of them and this happens repeatedly.  very bad.  so speeding in bad conditions is definitely reckless.  rain, snow/ice, fog is not good.