Speed limits are in place to protect everyone on the roadways.
Speeding was a contributing factor in 29% of all traffic fatalities in 2020 (NHTSA, "Speeding"). Speeding is considered a type of aggressive driving behavior.
When you speed there is:
- Greater potential for loss of vehicle control;
- Reduced effectiveness of occupant protection equipment;
- Increased stopping distance after a perceived danger is noticed by a driver;
- Increased degree of crash severity, leading to more sever injuries;
- Economic implications of a speed-related crash (see below);
- Increased fuel consumption / cost.
How to deal with speeding drivers:
- If you are in the left lane and someone wants to pass, move over and let them by;
- Give speeding drivers plenty of space. This increases your chances of safety if they lose control of their vehicle;
- Adjust your driving accordingly. If a speeding driver is riding your bumper or trying to entice you into risky-driving, safely move out of the way;
- If aggressiveness increases, becomes dangerous, you believe the driver is following you or the driver is harassing you, call local law enforcement.
Below outlines Colorado Speed Limits:
Neither Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) nor local authorities can increase the speed limit above 75 miles per hour (mph) on any highway.
These are the penalties you can face for speeding violations:
In addition to the penalties, you can also have points against your drivers license for speeding:
Colorado law states that a driver must move over or reduce and maintain a safe speed when overtaking an emergency, tow, or public utility vehicle.
Safe speed in these situations is defined as:
- 25 mph if speed limit is less than 45 mph;
- 20 mph less than the speed limit if the speed limit is 45 mph or higher.
For more information about speed limits in Colorado you can visit https://leg.colorado.gov/content/speed-limits
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