While you may be a very safe driver and always drive defensively to avoid an accident, there’s no guarantee that other drivers will act the same.
Sadly, not everyone worries about causing harm to others.
Some people drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or they may drive recklessly, both of which endanger others.
When you spot someone being unsafe, you have the right to report reckless driving in Colorado. If a reckless driver hits you and you sustain injuries, speak with a skilled Boulder car accident lawyer at Tenge Law Firm, LLC.
What Is Considered Reckless Driving in Colorado?
Under Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-1401, the law defines reckless driving as someone who drives a motor vehicle, bicycle, electric-assisted bicycle, or low-power scooter in a way that demonstrates a wanton or willful disregard for other people’s safety or property.
The offending driver could face criminal charges because reckless driving is a class two misdemeanor offense in Colorado.
For the first reckless driving conviction, the driver could be fined up to $300 and spend anywhere between 10 to 90 days in jail.
If they are convicted of a second offense, the fine is between $50 and $1,000, 10 days to six months in jail, or a combination of both.
Reckless driving is not the same as careless driving. Careless driving isn’t as severe but could result in a misdemeanor as well.
How to Report Reckless Driving in Colorado
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, there were 574 fatal crashes in 2020. This number was up from the year before, with 545 fatal crashes in 2019.
Reckless driving certainly plays a role in the number of fatalities on Colorado roads. You can call “CSP” or 227 from your cell phone to report a potentially reckless or impaired driver to a Colorado State Patrol dispatcher.
When you speak with the dispatcher, be prepared to give them your exact location (as best you can), what direction and road the reckless driver is traveling on, and a description of the vehicle.
You will also need to explain how the driver was maneuvering their vehicle and why you suspect they are reckless or impaired.
Look for Signs of a Potentially Reckless or Impaired Driver
It’s essential to know what to look for when spotting a reckless or impaired driver in Boulder. Common examples of reckless driving include:
- Tailgating;
- Racing other vehicles;
- Speeding excessively;
- Refusing to let other vehicles pass;
- Passing other cars illegally; and
- Ignoring traffic signals and other signs.
Learn how to spot a driver who may be under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Some of the most common behaviors of someone driving drunk include:
- Weaving, drifting, or swerving;
- Appearing drunk, which could be visibly drinking in the car, eye fixation, or driving with their face close to the windshield;
- Responding slowly to traffic lights;
- Almost hitting an object or another vehicle;
- Driving well under the speed limit for seemingly no reason;
- Stopping without reason or braking erratically;
- Driving without headlights at night;
- Turning abruptly; and
- Driving in more than one lane or with the left tires on the centerline.
If you suspect someone is driving under the influence of alcohol, you should report them. It could save another motorist’s life. Any one of these actions could cause an accident, but when combined, it could be deadly.
Contact a Boulder Car Accident Lawyer Today
If you sustained injuries in a car accident caused by another driver’s negligence or recklessness, you have rights. Contact Tenge Law Firm, LLC., to schedule a consultation.
We have decades of experience assisting injured victims just like you recover the compensation they are entitled to following an injury accident.
Let us help protect your rights and ensure the responsible parties are held accountable for your injuries.