If you’ve ever been to Colorado Springs, you know how beautiful the local scenery is – it’s one of the top places to visit in the state of Colorado. The landscape provides great outdoor activities for every season of the year. And while many people that head to Colorado Springs are tourists, there are still plenty of lucky residents that call this beautiful city home.

If you’re one of these residents, you know how important it is to own a car – there isn’t a great deal of public transport in the region. Auto insurance can be expensive, but if you know how to find the best auto insurance quote online, you can save a lot of money. Our company is dedicated to helping you either get an insurance estimate before buying a car or find the most affordable auto insurance on the market for a car you already own. We also provide you with information on local driving conditions, regulations, and average auto insurance rate by state.

Colorado Springs: Driving Conditions in the City

While traffic in Colorado Springs is never much of an issue, there are plenty of other hazards on the road that need to be considered. If you’re driving in Colorado, it’s typically weather and natural terrain that can cause problems. If you want to avoid dangerous situations, you should always keep your eyes on weather reports. Ice, sleet, and snow can cause serious problems for people travelling on local roads in the region.

In addition to this, you may also have to worry about falling rocks and other natural obstacles that can arise in rural or mountainous regions. Always be careful when driving on roads in Colorado Springs.

Driving Safely in Colorado Springs, Colorado

If you want to drive safely in Colorado Springs, or anywhere in the United States for that matter, it’s important to obey local road laws and regulations. Not only will disobeying these laws cause problems for you in terms of fines or penalties, it can also end up resulting in an accident or other problem when you’re on the road. Below we will explore the local road rules that you need to follow when you’re driving in Colorado Springs – they are a mix of both local and state laws.

Phone/Handheld Laws in Colorado Springs

In Colorado Springs, you’re not allowed to text and drive – it doesn’t matter how old you are or how long you have been driving for. Not adhering to this rule can result in a serious fine, even if you haven’t been caught before. While you can still use your phone if you’re over the age of 18 to make calls, those under the age of 18 are not permitted to do so. Regardless, you should always avoid using your phone while your drive – distracted driving causes a serious amount of issues on American roads every year.

Seatbelt and Car Seat Laws in Colorado Springs

If you’re in the front seat of a car in Colorado, whether you are driving or a passenger, you must use a seat belt. Failing to do this can result in a $65 fine from local authorities. While this law seems clear cut, it’s a bit more complicated for car seats and booster seats.

Below we will provide you with a brief overview of car seat laws in the state of Colorado – these must be strictly followed by all people driving in the area.

• Under 20 lbs. and under one year old – Rear facing car seat in back of vehicle.
• Between one and three years old, over 20 lbs. – Forward facing car sear – back seat of vehicle
• Ages four through seven – Booster seat
• Children above eight – Normal seat belt

Helmet Laws in Colorado Springs

Helmet laws in Colorado Springs depend on the age of the person riding the motorcycle. If you are over the age of 18, you do not need to wear a helmet – it does not matter if you are a driver or passenger on the motorcycle. If you’re under the age of 18, you do need to wear a helmet – both if you’re a driver or a passenger.

Driving without a helmet is always extremely dangerous – motorcycles travel at extremely high speeds, so not wearing a helmet is a dangerous practice.

Alcohol and Drug Laws (Driving)

Impairment laws in Colorado can be slightly complicated – they are much stricter than many states as they have different laws for different limits. You can get in trouble for having a blood alcohol content (BAC) level much lower than you would in other states. In Colorado, you can receive a DUI if you BAC is higher than .08. While this is similar to most states, you can also receive a lesser charge known as DWI if you blow over .05.

This means that you have to be extremely careful when driving in Colorado Springs – don’t drive if you think you are in anyway impaired. The punishments for each type of offense depend on the severity. If you get a DUI for the first time – the punishment can be severe. You may receive up to a year in jail, nine months of suspension of license, a $1,000 fine, and 96 hours of community service.

If you get a DWI for the first time, you can receive a jail sentence of up to 180 days, $500 fine, eight points of your license, and 48 hours of community service. This will also increase your insurance rates and you may be required to carry a SR22 non owners policy to legally drive.

Colorado Springs Statistics

Colorado is one of the few states that has seen a significant interest in traffic fatalities in recent years. In fact, from 2013-2016, there appeared to be almost a 40 percent increase. Another worrying trend is the fact that many of these people now test positive for marijuana. Because weed is legalized in the state, the roads appear to be getting slightly more dangerous. Be cautious of other drivers while driving.

Verdict

While using the above laws and regulations can help you reduce your risks, it’s always important to have a comprehensive insurance plan as well. You don’t want to risk large costs if you get into an accident or your vehicle is stolen. We have plenty of information on our site that can help you get the cheapest insurance in Colorado, so make sure to check it out! Use our form to get free insurance quotes and compare them for the best rate.