Vehicular homicide and vehicular assault are serious crimes in the state of Colorado, but fortunately there are steps you can take to avoid being charged with these offenses. Here are a few tips to follow to ensure that you're driving safely:
- Limit distractions - Distraction.gov statistics reveal that 421,000 people were injured in a car accident involving a distracted driver in 2012. In Colorado, it's illegal to text when you're behind the wheel of a vehicle, but this isn't the only distracting behavior to avoid. Other things like listening to your music too loud or turning around briefly to tend to your kids can also cause accidents.
- Observe the rules of the road - Speed limits are there for a reason, and it's your responsibility to follow them. The same goes for other all other rules of the road. When you approach a stop sign, come to a full stop. When the light is yellow, don't speed up to try to make it through an intersection before it turns red.
- Wear a seat belt at all times - According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), upwards of 2.3 million drivers and passengers were treated in emergency rooms as a result of vehicle accidents in 2009. In fact, car crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans between the ages of 5 and 34. One of the most effective ways to prevent death and serious injuries in car accidents is to wear a seat belt at all times. The CDC reports that seat belts reduce serious car crash-related injuries and deaths by about 50 percent.
If you've been accused of a driving-related crime, contact The Orr Law Firm today to speak to our experienced attorneys in Denver.