How to Report Reckless Driving or Suspected Intoxicated Drivers in Colorado
How Colorado Defines Reckless Driving
According to the Colorado Revised Statute 42-4-1401, reckless driving is defined as follows: "A person who drives a motor vehicle, bicycle, electrical assisted bicycle, or low-power scooter in such a manner as to indicate either a wanton or a willful disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving. A person convicted of reckless driving of a bicycle or electrical assisted bicycle shall not be subject to the provisions of section 42-2-127."Common Types of Reckless Driving
Here are some examples of reckless driving:- Speeding excessively
- Tailgating
- Racing other cars
- Ignoring traffic signs and signals
- Not letting people pass
- Passing illegally
Penalties for Reckless Driving in Denver
For the first reckless driving offense, motorists may face:- a $150-$300 fine
- Ten to 90 days in jail
- a fine of $50-$1,000
- Ten days to six months in jail
Reporting Colorado Drivers
According to the Denver Post, more than 600 people died in Colorado driving collisions last year. The number of deaths caused by auto collisions is up by eleven percent (11%) from 2015’s numbers –making it the highest number of deaths caused by car crashes in a decade.
Of the more than 600 deaths, 380 were in cars, sports utility vehicles, or trucks, 125 were motorcyclists, and 84 were pedestrians.
The Colorado Department of Transportation has reported everything from distracted driving, like texting, and talking on the phone –to- the lack of seatbelt use as the cause for the increase in driving fatalities.
How to Spot an Impaired Driver
Considering the many crashes and fatalities on the Colorado roadways in the past few years, being safe is of the utmost importance. If you spot a driver that appears to be impaired or is driving aggressively, you can dial "CSP" or "227" for the Colorado State Patrol dispatcher. Give the dispatcher the exact location, to the best of your ability by giving the road and the direction that the driver was on, a description of the vehicle, and how the driver was maneuvering the vehicle.Signs that a Driver may be DUI
The Colorado State Patrol has listed some tips on how to spot a drunk driver. If you see any of the following behaviors, report the driver to CSP immediately:- Appearing to be drunk (e.g. eye fixation, face close to the windshield, drinking in the vehicle);
- Almost striking an object;
- Turning with a wide radius;
- Driving significantly under the speed limit for no obvious reason;
- Accelerating rapidly;
- Weaving, swerving, or drifting;
- Responding slowly to traffic signals;
- Turning abruptly or illegally;
- Braking erratically or stopping without cause;
- Tailgating;
- Straddling the center of the lane or driving with the left tires on the center lane;
- Responding slowly to traffic signals; or
- Driving at night with the headlights off.