Many Colorado motorists considering the above blog headline likely align with the former view. They hardly relish a roadside encounter with law enforcement that leaves them holding a citation and demand-to-pay notice, but they regard the matter as a one-off intrusion and simple bad luck.
Things could be worse, right? After all, the downsides are only temporary, with no lingering effects to worry about.
That mindset is both fatalistic and understandable. Fundamentally, it allows an otherwise bothered driver to largely shake off a bad traffic experience and, well, put it in the rear-view mirror.
At least for a bit of time. After that, it often becomes painfully evident to motorists that their passivity and/or total unresponsiveness in challenging a traffic violation conviction yields adverse consequences far beyond anything they initially perceived. Those above-cited “lingering effects” turn out to be anything but illusory or trivial.
Colorado traffic offenses: a long road of possibilities
Speeding certainly comes to mind in any compilation of traffic violations. The universe of behind-the-wheel offenses notably exceeds pedal-to-the-metal infractions, though. Legions of Colorado drivers are criminally charged daily with violations such as these:
- Careless or reckless driving (broadly construed by law enforcers)
- Driving with license irregularities
- Seat belt/restraint violations
- Hit-and-run
- Failure to report an accident or stay at the scene
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
That list is concededly lengthy, but it merely spotlights representative violations in a much larger universe of possibilities.
Potential exactions of a traffic ticket: multiple and diverse
The fundamental reality underscoring many violations is that a customarily good driver simply strayed for a moment from exemplary performance. That temporary deviation can yield lasting and pronounced downsides, including these:
- Negative points assessed (can lead to license suspension or eventual classification as a habitual traffic offender)
- Spiked insurance premiums, or even coverage cancellation
- Punitively high fines
- Loss of commercial driving privileges
- Jail time, often coupled with mandatory classes and community service
- Increased future scrutiny from police agencies
A central bottom line linked with Colorado traffic offenses is that they can add up. One violation alone might not seem to be much of a big deal, but that can change materially when it is added to a driving history already marked by other adverse bullet points.
Traffic offenses are egalitarian. They routinely challenge people from every walk of life, and without regard to a previous driving record or performance.
And their effects can be lasting and truly adverse. A motorist facing a traffic violation – especially a serious offense – might reasonably want to forgo the aforementioned passivity and instead effectively challenge a criminal charge with help from a proven and empathetic legal defense team.