There is nothing worse than rushing out of your house, running a little late and seeing the frost on your windshield. You realize you have two choices: get to work late because you took the time to properly clear your windshield, or start your trip immediately while pumping the heat in hopes the frost clears itself quickly. Well, a Colorado woman chose that second option, and it resulted in an accident with injuries. Apparently, the woman did not clear the frost off her car when she and her car full of passengers took off. The frost must not have cleared off quickly enough because the woman ended up hitting a parked car due to her lack of visibility. Three people inside her car were injured. Most likely, this woman will be charged with Careless Driving – a class 1 misdemeanor because of the injuries.
What is Careless Driving in Fort Collins?
C.R.S. 42-4-1402 – Careless Driving – is defined by Colorado law as:
This means in Fort Collins, Loveland, and Estes Park, any motor vehicle infraction, like speeding, taking sharp turns or failing to clear off your windshield, could be considered careless driving.
What is the Punishment for Careless Driving in Larimer County?
Usually, Careless Driving is a class 2 misdemeanor traffic offense. The punishment for this level traffic offense includes:
- 10 to 90 days in Larimer, Boulder or Grand County Jail
- $150 to $300 in fines
- 4 points added to you DMV record
However, there are certain circumstances where Careless Driving is a class 1 misdemeanor traffic offense. If the Careless Driving caused bodily injury or death, the punishments are increased to:
- 10 days to 1 year in county jail
- $300 to $1,000 in fines
- 4 points added to your DMV record if bodily injury was involved
- 12 points added to your DMV record if there was a death
Either way, it is important for you to have a criminal defense lawyer on your side to fight for you.