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Legal concept

Careless Driving

C.R.S. § 42-4-1402

A charge for doing anything in an imprudent manner that disregards the widths, grade, curves, or any other circumstances of the road; an extremely broad statute based on a negligent standard.

What Right Law Group attorneys say

A very common one is careless driving. So oftent times if you're involved in an accident and the cops determine that you're the at fault party or even if they determine both parties are at fault, you can be charged with careless driving, which is just that you were doing anything in an imprudent manner that you disregarded the widths, grade, curves, or any other circumstances of the road. So it's an extremely broad statute just discussing pretty much that you disregarded some traffic signal or a curve or you're going a little too fast, things like that. And so we often see it with traffic accidents, you being charged with careless, and it's just an imprudent manner and really a negligent standard. It doesn't mean that there's any intentional behavior or reckless behavior in your driving.
Zoe Levesque · Fight Serious Traffic Offenses in Colorado | Careless Driving, Reckless & Hit and RunWatch clip ↗
there's a whole bunch of cases um basically the idea is if you have a case where as part of a plea bargain or a plea negotiation you're agreeing to do something you're going to be put on probation to ensure that you've done it um so like for example in traffic cases we see this all the time when someone gets a careless driving ticket and the district attorney or the city attorney says well if you do this class i'll either give you a reduced points or i'll give you the benefit of showing me that you can stay out of trouble for this time but that's on probation
Alexis Austin Litle · RLG Live | Probation + Therapy in Criminal/Traffic Cases // Right Law Group #coloradoWatch clip ↗

Frequently asked questions

After my arrest in Colorado, what does the court process look like and could it lead to fines or jail time?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Your arrest is often the beginning of a challenging struggle to defend your legal rights and retain your freedom. Ultimately, your court experience will take you through a legal process that can lead to fines, jail time, and other adverse consequences."

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Can I be charged with careless driving after an accident even if I didn't act intentionally or recklessly?

Zoe explains: "A very common one is careless driving. So oftent times if you're involved in an accident and the cops determine that you're the at fault party or even if they determine both parties are at fault, you can be charged with careless driving, which is just that you were doing anything in an imprudent manner that you disregarded the widths, grade, curves, or any other circumstances of the road. So it's an extremely broad statute just discussing pretty much that you disregarded some traffic signal or a curve or you're going a little too fast, things like that. And so we often see it with traffic accidents, you being charged with careless, and it's just an imprudent manner and really a negligent standard. It doesn't mean that there's any intentional behavior or reckless behavior in your driving."

Answered by Zoe Levesque · Watch clip
Do I really need a traffic lawyer, and can you help me protect my license if I live out of state?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "• We can help, even if you live out of state. • Our Colorado Springs traffic attorneys help protect your license. • DO YOU REALLY NEED A COLORADO SPRINGS TRAFFIC LAWYER?"

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How does probation come up as part of a plea bargain, like in a careless driving case?

Alexis explains: "there's a whole bunch of cases um basically the idea is if you have a case where as part of a plea bargain or a plea negotiation you're agreeing to do something you're going to be put on probation to ensure that you've done it um so like for example in traffic cases we see this all the time when someone gets a careless driving ticket and the district attorney or the city attorney says well if you do this class i'll either give you a reduced points or i'll give you the benefit of showing me that you can stay out of trouble for this time but that's on probation"

Answered by Alexis Austin Litle · Watch clip
I got a reckless driving charge in RiNo. Could late-night traffic and heavy police presence have played a role?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Reckless driving charges in RiNo (River North Art District) often arise from late-night traffic, rideshare congestion, and heightened police presence."

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I got a reckless driving charge in Stapleton, now Central Park. Why is enforcement so heavy in this part of northeast?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Reckless driving charges in Stapleton, now known as Central Park, often stem from enforcement in residential zones and high-traffic commuter routes in northeast Denver."

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I left the scene of an accident without meaning any harm. Is that against the law in Colorado?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Being involved in a hit-and-run accident can be an incredibly stressful and confusing situation. Even if you didn’t intend any harm, failing to stop or provide aid after an accident is against the law in Colorado."

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I was charged with reckless driving on South Broadway. Why are these corridors a focus for enforcement?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Reckless driving charges in Englewood are often tied to incidents on high-traffic corridors like South Broadway and Santa Fe Drive."

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I was charged with reckless driving in Wash Park. Does the residential enforcement zone affect my case?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Reckless driving charges in Washington Park (Wash Park) are often tied to residential enforcement zones where safety concerns are elevated."

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I'm facing hit-and-run charges in Colorado. What rights do I have and how do I navigate this?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Facing hit-and-run charges in Colorado? Take a deep breath. You have rights. Though the legal waters may seem murky, experienced guidance can help you navigate them."

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I'm facing reckless driving charges and feeling stressed. How can a lawyer help me through this?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Finding yourself facing reckless driving charges in Castle Rock can be an incredibly stressful and frightening experience."

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I'm in the military near Fort Carson and was charged with reckless driving. Could a conviction affect my career?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Reckless driving charges near Fort Carson often involve both civilian and military consequences. A conviction doesn’t just affect your license, it can impact your military career."

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Is a reckless driving charge just a speeding ticket, or does it carry criminal penalties and license points?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A reckless driving charge in Aurora is not just a speeding ticket. Under Colorado law, reckless driving is a misdemeanor traffic offense that carries criminal penalties and 8 points on your driver’s license."

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Is a reckless driving charge in Greenwood Village just a traffic ticket, or is it treated as something more serious?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A reckless driving charge in Greenwood Village can lead to serious legal consequences. Under Colorado law, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor traffic offense , not a simple traffic ticket."

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Is a reckless driving charge treated as a misdemeanor or just a traffic ticket under Colorado law?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A reckless driving charge in Littleton can have significant legal consequences. Under Colorado law, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor traffic offense , not simply a traffic ticket."

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Is a reckless driving charge more serious than a simple traffic ticket under Colorado law?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A reckless driving charge in Pueblo can lead to more than a simple traffic ticket. Under Colorado law, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor traffic offense that can result in criminal penalties, fines, and 8 points on your Colorado driver’s license ."

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Is a reckless driving citation more than a routine traffic ticket, and could I face jail?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A reckless driving citation in Centennial is more than a routine traffic ticket. Under Colorado law, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor traffic offense that can result in criminal penalties, license points, and potential jail exposure."

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Is a reckless driving citation a simple infraction or something more serious under Colorado law?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A reckless driving citation in Highlands Ranch can have serious legal consequences. Under Colorado law, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor traffic offense , not a simple traffic infraction."

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Is reckless driving a traffic infraction or a misdemeanor under Colorado law?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Reckless driving in Denver is not a traffic infraction. It is a misdemeanor traffic offense under Colorado law. Under C."

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What are the consequences of a reckless driving charge under Colorado law?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A reckless driving charge in Lone Tree can carry significant legal consequences under Colorado law. Unlike many traffic violations, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor traffic offense , meaning it can result in criminal penalties in addition to fines and 8 points on your Colorado driver’s license ."

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What consequences could a reckless driving charge carry under Colorado law?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A reckless driving charge in Parker can carry serious consequences under Colorado law. Unlike many traffic violations, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor traffic offense , which means it may result in criminal penalties in addition to fines and 8 points on your Colorado driver’s license ."

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What penalties does a reckless driving charge carry under Colorado law?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "A reckless driving charge in Fountain can carry serious legal consequences under Colorado law. Unlike many traffic violations, reckless driving is classified as a misdemeanor traffic offense , meaning it can lead to criminal penalties in addition to fines and 8 points on your Colorado driver’s license ."

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Why do reckless driving charges across the metro area vary so much depending on the city or county?

Right Law Group's guide explains: "Reckless driving charges across the Denver metro area vary significantly depending on the city, county, and circumstances."

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Each answer links directly to the source where a Right Law Group attorney addressed this question.

23 answers grounded in Right Law Group sources

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