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In the state of Colorado, reckless driving is a crime. Many drivers may not realize that what they think of as bad habits is reckless driving.

Reckless driving is defined as someone operating a vehicle that shows a willful or wanton disregard for others’ safety. Some examples of reckless driving include driving while intoxicated, speeding, tailgating, and running red lights.

Here, you can learn about some bad driving habits that you should cease to avoid being charged with reckless driving. If you have been charged with this or have been issued a traffic citation, our legal team at the Law Offices of Steven J. Pisani, LLC, can help.

Bad Driving Habits and the Best Way to Fix Them

It is important to note that not all the bad driving habits here are considered reckless; however, they do increase the potential of an accident. Because of this, it is best to avoid them when on the road.

Failing to Use Your Turn Signal

Your turn signals let others on the road (i.e., drivers, pedestrians, bicyclists, etc.) know your intentions when switching lanes, at an intersection, or in a parking lot.

If you do not use your turn signal, you risk causing a dangerous situation or collision for others. You can correct this problem by using your signals each time you move or turn.

Road Rage

Road rage is something that can transform anyone into a completely different person almost instantly. Unfortunately, angry drivers are also unsafe drivers.

You may wonder why you get so angry behind the wheel. One reason is that other drivers are anonymous and hidden in their cars. This means they are dehumanized, and the reaction is similar to what people do online.

Driving with someone in your vehicle can help you avoid some cases of road rage; however, it may not always be an effective “fix” for this bad habit. It is up to you to recognize the signs you are getting angry and take time to relax and calm down. Being angry behind the wheel makes the road more dangerous for everyone.

Distracted Driving

When driving, you must stay focused on the road and avoid distractions. Accidents are much more likely if you are distracted.

By now, you know that there are many different types of distractions, including eating, texting, and more. While teens are common culprits of distracted driving, it is a problem for drivers of all ages.

Right of Way Errors

When driving up to an intersection, knowing who has the right of way is important. Unfortunately, many drivers do not remember what the rules are. Even if you believe you have the right of way, you should pay attention to what the other drivers are doing. If someone else believes it is their turn to go and moves into the intersection, it could cause a collision.

It is always best to let the other driver go first and prevent issues in this situation.

Drowsy Driving

Drunk driving is dangerous because your reaction times are reduced. The same applies to drowsy driving. Cases of drowsy driving are more likely to occur on highways, which increases the potential of a fatal accident. Do not try to “tough it out” if you feel sleepy. Pull over and rest. While sleeping in your car is not ideal, it is better than causing an accident.

Speeding Through Yellow Lights

Yellow lights are a sign that you should slow down and prepare to stop – they do not mean you should speed up and avoid stopping at the red light.

If you speed up, it will result in you doing this at the last second. This increases the possibility that you mistime things and run a red light, which could cause an accident. Also, if an officer is nearby, you may get a ticket or face other consequences.

Tailgating

Tailgating is considered extremely dangerous. Not only that, but it is also extremely frustrating and can cause the driver being tailgated to experience road rage (discussed above).

When you follow the car ahead of you too closely, it increases the possibility of an accident and may even result in the driver in the lead to “brake check” you.

A good rule of thumb is to keep at least one car distance between you and the car ahead of you. Even if they are driving extremely slowly, you should never tailgate. It is dangerous in many different ways.

Get Help with Reckless Driving Charges in Denver

If you have been arrested and charged with reckless driving in Colorado, our legal team can help. At the Law Offices of Steven J. Pisani, LLC, we can help you establish a strong defense strategy and help you avoid the serious consequences of this charge.

Even if you have just received a ticket for your bad driving habits, we can help. Defending your case and having the ticket reduced or thrown out is possible.

The first step is to contact our office and discuss your case. We take pride in aggressively defending our clients and working to gather evidence related to the situation. Contact us today to learn more.

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