Lakewood Colorado Legal Blog

Everyone knows that texting while driving is dangerous and at the same time practically everyone is guilty of doing so at one time or another. Since cellphones became mainstream, there have been countless news stories of horrific accidents caused by drivers who choose to get distracted by their phones and suffer the consequences as a result. Car accidents may occur for various reasons, but texting while driving is easily preventable.

The voice in your head that wants you to check or respond to a text message while driving can feel like it’s only getting louder and louder the more you ignore it. However, getting caught up in the texting and driving trap inhibits your response time to real situations happening outside your vehicle (e.g. pedestrians crossing in front of your vehicle, bicyclists, green lights, red lights, making your exit, braking for congested traffic, etc.)

You probably know that a police officer can normally only initiate a traffic stop when the officer witnesses a traffic violation, notices a vehicle defect that could affect its safety or observes a pattern of behavior that suggests the driver of a car may be impaired by drugs or alcohol.

However, sobriety checkpoints are specifically allowed under the guidelines used by the Colorado Department of Transportation so long as certain rules are observed. These include:

• They must be publicized in advance
• The checkpoint must not require drivers to stop in an unsafe area
• Drivers must be given adequate notice that they are approaching one of the checkpoints
• Officers must be uniformed and visible
• The checkpoints must be minimally inconvenient
• The process of choosing which vehicles to stop must be consistent and nondiscriminatory

There is never a good time to see police lights in your rearview mirror. If you're pulled to the side of the road for a traffic violation, it's imperative to know your legal rights and the steps you can take to protect them.

Reckless driving is among the most serious type of traffic violation. With this, you're pulled over for willful disregard for safety.

It doesn't matter if you're taking a long road trip this holiday season or simply traveling across town to visit family, any time you get behind the wheel you're at risk of an accident.

There are many potential causes of holiday car accidents. Understanding these will go a long way in helping you remain safe.

• Distracted driving. This can include drinking a cup of coffee, sending a text message or talking to children in the backseat.
• Drowsy driving. It's easy to wear down during the holidays. Don't get behind the wheel if you're too tired to make safe and sound decisions at all times.
• Road conditions. For example, heavy snow and ice could blanket the roads, making it more difficult to maintain control of your vehicle.
• Nighttime driving. Decreased visibility during nighttime hours makes it more difficult to see the road ahead, as well as other vehicles.
• Reckless driving. From speeding on the highway to illegal passing on a city road, there's never a good time to drive recklessly.