Important facts about distracted driving laws in Colorado

Distracted driving is a dangerous practice that is all too common.

2013-02-06

February 06, 2013 (Press-News.org) Distracted driving is a dangerous trend in the United States. The U.S. Department of Transportation reports that, in 2010, more than 3,000 people were killed in a distracted-driving related car accident.

By definition, distracted driving is any activity that shifts a driver's attention away from the primary duty of driving. It includes, but is not limited to:
- Talking on a cell phone or to passengers
- Texting
- Eating
- Reading
- Watching a video
- Applying makeup, shaving, fixing hair or other grooming activities

Additionally, even common activities like changing radio stations or adjusting a GPS are included in the definition of distracted driving.

Distracted driving laws in Colorado

Colorado has two primary laws related to distracted driving. A primary law means a police officer may stop and ticket an individual for committing the offense without the driver having committed any additional driving violations. Secondary laws apply to offenses for which drivers can only be ticketed if an officer pulled him or her over for another offense, such as speeding.

The first primary law bans all cellphone use for novice drivers. Novice drivers are defined as drivers under age 18. This ban includes both handheld and hands-free cellphones, and both talking on the phone and texting are forbidden. The second primary law bans texting for all drivers, regardless of age.

The relationship between cell phones, texting and car accidents

Cellphone use and texting are among the most dangerous forms of distracted driving. According to TextingandDrivingSafety.com, approximately 23 percent of car accidents in 2011 involved cellphones. In addition, the DOT reports that texting creates a crash risk 23 times higher than driving with no distractions.

The National Safety Council cites texting and driving as the cause of 1.6 million accidents each year. The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration reports even more alarming statistics, putting the impairment of a driver who texts and drives at the same level as a driver who consumed four beers.

The simple act of sending or receiving a text takes a driver's eyes off the road for approximately 4.6 seconds. At 55 mph, this is the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field while looking downward.

Distracted driving is negligent behavior. An individual injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver often experiences physical, emotional and financial difficulties. A local personal injury attorney can provide knowledge and guidance to those harmed by distracted driving to assure they obtain adequate compensation for their losses.

Article provided by KILLIAN DAVIS Richter & Mayle, PC
Visit us at www.killianlaw.com

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Toyota settles unintended acceleration wrongful death claim

2013-02-06

Many people know that there are certain risks associated with driving. Things such as severe weather and others on the road not exercising due caution behind the wheel can make driving dangerous. People do not often consider that their vehicles may pose the biggest threat to their safety on the road. When auto manufacturers make defective vehicles it often leads to auto accidents. On January 18, 2013, Toyota Motor Corp. announced that it had reached a settlement in the first of a number of lawsuits that alleged that defects in Toyota vehicles caused accidents. Unintended ...

New distracted driving laws in effect in Illinois

2013-02-06

Many people rely on their cars everyday to get them to all of the places they need to go. Driving carries certain risks, not the least of which is the chance that another driver is not giving full attention to driving. As people try to multi-task, the incidents of distracted driving have risen -- as have the number of car accidents attributable to distracted driving. Three new Illinois laws target distracted driving in the hope of reducing the number of motor vehicle accidents in the state. New laws Three new laws dealing with distracted driving went into effect in ...

Illinois Driving Laws That Affect Older Drivers

2013-02-06

An increase in speeds and mobile-device usage of drivers are just a couple of reasons behind the increase in auto accidents today. Problems with aging drivers that get behind the wheel of a vehicle is another concern. States, including Illinois, understand this growing problem and have passed driving laws that apply to older drivers. According to the latest statistics from 2009, drivers age 65 years and older accounted for 13 percent of the total U.S. driving population. However, despite the low percentage, drivers in this category were involved in 16 percent of total ...

50 Miles South of Pittsburgh

2013-02-06

I'm proud to be from West Virginia. That wasn't always the case. For a span of about a decade and a half that started when I entered college and went well through most of graduate school, when people would ask where I was from I simply would answer "fifty miles south of Pittsburgh." It was simple enough, not a lie and yet not entirely the truth. Identifying myself with the city that I had grown to love was a lot easier than being attached to a state that had an image that was, well, less than flattering. Images of ignorance, stereotypical redneck behavior and ...

Illinois Truck Accidents Caused by a Range of Factors

2013-02-06

Truck accidents are more likely to result in serious bodily harm or death than other types of accidents because of the sheer weight of most trucks, especially tractor-trailers and trucks carrying cargo. Because trucks are heavy, they build momentum at high speeds, making it hard for them to stop quickly. When a truck driver encounters a sudden change in road conditions or just becomes distracted and fails to pay attention to the road, the consequences can be dire. Heavy vehicles require more time and distance to stop, so even if the driver sees an obstacle many yards ahead, ...

Atlanta Landscape Design Experts, Property Masters Landscape & Design, Talk Outdoor Lighting

2013-02-06

Outdoor lighting systems are a must have, says Atlanta landscapers. Property Masters Landscape & Design, a leading Atlanta landscape company, would like to discuss the importance of owning an outdoor lighting system. Aside from breathing life into an outdoor space (deck or patio) area, a quality lighting system will also keep intruders at bay. Home security is one thing you don't want to skimp on, and this is a cheap yet effective way to prevent potential break-ins. As such, many homeowners often receive a discount on their homeowners' insurance premiums. Atlanta ...

Atlanta Caterers, A Legendary Event, Discuss Why Atlanta is Perfect for Spring Weddings

2013-02-06

Atlanta is a vibrant and naturally beautiful city year-round, but spring is when it really comes alive. Blooming flowers, lush landscapes and diverse venues also make Atlanta a popular wedding destination. In fact, it is the top U.S. city for spring weddings. With rich cultural history and myriad gardens, museums and historic landmarks to choose from, brides across the country flock to Atlanta to design the wedding of their dreams. There are several indoor and outdoor venue options to choose from that match a wide variety of personal tastes and desired level of formality. ...

Samson Trailways, an Atlanta Bus Charter Company, Encourages Renting a Bus to Visit The World of Coca-Cola

2013-02-06

Since 1886, Coca-Cola has been an Atlanta institution. The beverage company has grown into a worldwide presence, but it has stayed true to its roots with the World of Coca-Cola, its Atlanta museum which covers the history of the company and offers an interactive experience of the current brand. Atlanta charter bus company Samson Trailways understands the lure of this landmark Atlanta attraction, and recommends that groups travel to the World of Coca-Cola by bus rental. As an educational and engaging exhibit, the World of Coca-Cola is one of Atlanta's most popular attractions, ...

ThinkHR and MyCorporation Announce Strategic Partnership to Deliver Small Business Solutions

2013-02-06

ThinkHR (www.thinkhr.com) today announced a strategic partnership with MyCorporation (www.mycorporation.com) to make human resources solutions available to small business owners. The partnership provides affordable access to live support and resources to help grow and manage your workforce. "ThinkHR is excited to launch our new partnership with MyCorporation and Deborah Sweeney," said Pete Yozzo, Founder and CEO of ThinkHR. "This new partnership underscores our continued commitment to the small business community. Whether a small business is just getting ...

Digital Learning Now! Releases Blended Learning Implementation Guide for Schools and Districts

2013-02-06

In honor of Digital Learning Day, Digital Learning Now! (DLN) today released its fifth white paper in the DLN Smart Series, "Blended Learning Implementation Guide," which explores blended learning as a phase change with a goal of accelerating learning toward college and career readiness. Like the Alliance for Excellent Education, the authors think schools and districts should develop a plan -- and this implementation guide will help leaders to do so. "Blended learning is the future of education, and by combining the best personalization offered through ...

Insilico Medicine announces developmental candidate benchmarks and timelines for novel therapeutics discovered using generative AI

Sandra Diaz and Eduardo Brondízio, scholars of human-nature interconnection, win the 2025 Tyler Prize with call for policies, business models and individuals to recognize humanity’s 'entanglement' wit

Important facts about distracted driving laws in Colorado

ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES: