Reckless Driving In Colorado: What Is It & How To Fight A Ticket

Reckless driving—also known as reckless endangerment— is every bit as dangerous as it sounds. Add in the fact that it can result in serious trouble with the law in Colorado, and it’s something you want to avoid at all costs.

While reckless driving takes on many forms, the definition remains the same. It’s defined as any activity, while operating a motor vehicle, that puts people and/or property in danger. 

Some of the most common forms of reckless endangerment include:

• Excessive speeding
• Illegal passing
• Tailgating 
• Failure to adhere to traffic lights and stop signs
• Driving the wrong way on a one-way street
• Driving in areas, such as sidewalks and bicycle lanes, that are not intended for motor vehicles

Reckless driving is generally considered a misdemeanor in Colorado, however, there are times when it’s charged as a felony, such as if it results in personal injury or death.

Colorado reckless driving FAQs

Even if you think you’re doing everything you can to avoid reckless driving, there may be times when you violate Colorado traffic laws. And should that happen, there’s a chance you could soon find yourself on the receiving end of a hefty traffic ticket, after which you may have questions about your next steps. Here is a list of frequently asked questions regarding reckless endangerment in Colorado:

1. How many points is reckless driving in Denver, Colorado?

This is one of your primary concerns, especially if you already have points on your driving record. Too many of these can result in consequences such as a license suspension and/or the cancellation of your car insurance policy. 

In Colorado, the points associated with a reckless driving traffic ticket depend on the details of the charges:

• Careless driving: four points
• Reckless driving: eight points
• Failure to provide proof of insurance: four points
• Speeding: from 1 to 12 points, based on your speed 

In Colorado, if you are age 21 or older, your license will be suspended if you:

• Receive 12 points or more within a 12-month period
• Receive 18 points or more within a 24-month period

2. How much is a reckless driving ticket in Denver, Colorado?

Once again, this varies based on the type and severity of your actions. For example, if you’re a first-time offender and you didn’t cause harm to another individual, expect a fine between $150 and $300. Conversely, if you’re a repeat offender, your fine can increase to as high as $1,000. Note: in addition to a fine, you could also receive a sentence of up to 90 days in jail. 

3. How long does reckless driving stay on your record in Colorado?

If you’re convicted of reckless driving in Colorado, it’ll remain on your motor vehicle record forever. 

However, there are a few things to remember:

• The Department of Motor Vehicles uses 12 and 24 month period for its points system 
• You cannot remove or seal a reckless driving conviction
• Insurance companies don’t generally go back more than seven years when reviewing your driving record. 

These details show why it’s important to take steps to have your reckless driving charge reduced or dismissed with the help of an experienced Denver traffic attorney. 

4. How do you get a reckless driving ticket reduced or dismissed?

There’s no shortage of reckless driving defense strategies. Your traffic attorney’s goal is to settle on the one that gives you the best chance of reducing or dismissing your ticket.

Some of the most common legal defense strategies include:

• Questioning the officer’s opinion
• Questioning witness testimony
• Arguing that an emergency resulted in your reckless behavior
• Presenting evidence to show that you were not intentionally driving recklessly

With so many defense strategies to consider, it’s important to know how each one could affect your case. Even if you’re unsuccessful in having your ticket dismissed, reduced charges can lessen the impact on your life. 

Do you need the help of a skilled Denver traffic attorney?

You’re not required by law to hire a traffic attorney to fight a reckless driving charge, but there are many reasons to do so:

• Your Denver traffic attorney knows the ins and outs of Colorado’s traffic laws.
• Your attorney knows which defense strategy has the best chance of yielding positive results.
• Your attorney can gather all the necessary evidence and documentation on your behalf.

Don’t panic if you find yourself holding a reckless driving ticket. Also, don’t jump the gun and pay it immediately. Consult with a Denver traffic lawyer to learn more about your legal rights, as well as defense strategies you can use to reduce the ticket’s impact on your life. 

At the Law Offices of Steven J. Pisani, LLC, we have 10+ years of experience handling reckless driving charges for clients across Colorado. Contact us online or give us a call today to discuss your case, including the next steps, potential outcomes, and more.