Denver Personal Injury Law Firm Supports New Law to Hold Careless Drivers More Accountable
May 25, 2010 (Denver, Colorado) - Denver personal injury lawyer Linda J. Chalat, a partner at Chalat, Hatten & Koupal, is among those voicing support for a new law that would hold careless drivers more accountable for their actions. Senate Bill 204 will increase the penalties levied against those convicted of careless driving resulting in death. "Colorado law, in regards to careless driving was too lenient," said Chalat. "This law is a move in the right direction, though it is impossible to fill the holes left in families who have lost loved ones to careless drivers."
Under current Colorado law, if you are convicted of careless driving that resulted in death, you only face a four point deduction on your license and up to one year in jail. Proponents of the bill have pointed out that an individual could, hypothetically, kill three people before his or her license was suspended. Senate Bill 204 will increase the point deduction to 12, which results in a mandatory year-long license suspension.
"It is important we send the message that careless driving will not be tolerated," said Chalat. "Drivers need to know that using a cell phone, putting on makeup or engaging in other careless activities is not to be tolerated - not while you are driving."
Distracted driving has received a lot of coverage in the past year, and around 50 percent of U.S. states have some law in place regulating mobile phone use in the car. Nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in U.S. auto accidents due to drivers being distracted, particularly by mobile phones, the government reports. While not the sole cause of distracted driving accidents, cell phones and mobile devices are recognized as a major component of the problem. Colorado currently bans texting and e-mailing behind the wheel by adults, and all cell phone use by teenagers while driving.
