Legal Question in Traffic Law in Colorado

no turn signal = DUI

On Thanksgiving I was pulled over leaving a bar at 1:30 am for not using a turn signal leaving private property and turning right onto a one way street. I admitted to having drinks before driving (a whopping $9.25 bar tab) and this motivated the officer to arrest me for DUI. The blood came back at .086 (now a DUI in Colorado. My question is how could I have broken Colorado law by not using a turn signal leaving private property onto a one way street when I was the only car around?


Asked on 2/24/05, 7:51 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
David Colt Colt Law Firm, P.C.

Re: no turn signal = DUI

Hello:

Colorado traffic laws provide that 4 violations can be charged on private property: Reckless driving, careless driving, DUI, and improper backing. It is the initial reason that the officer pulls you over for that must be a violation for the traffic stop to be constitutional.

I assume the officer wrote you for violation of C.R.S. 42-4-903, which provides that a signal must be used to "indicate an intention to turn, change lanes, or start from a parked position". This charge cannot be written on private property; but, because only half of your turn was on private property while the other half was onto the public roadway, I believe the violation might stand as valid.

You can further research the charges by going online to Google search engine, and entering "Colorado Statutes" and the statute numbers listed on your ticket.

David Colt

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Answered on 2/28/05, 7:32 pm


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