AARP Smart Driver

Page 2 of 4 AARP Driver Safety Smart Driver™ Course State-Specific Information D20681 – May 2024 COLORADO UNIT 4 – Are We Smart on the Road? How to Avoid Distractions - Participant Guidebook Page 61 All cell phone use prohibited for drivers under the age of 18. Using cell phone for texting is prohibited for all drivers. Hands-free devices that utilize headsets can only cover one ear. Safe Following Distance - Participant Guidebook Page 64 A safe following distance must be reasonable and prudent. This means adjusting your speed to the surrounding traffic, condition of the road and speed of the vehicle you are following. Colorado recommends a three-second following distance. Turning at Intersections - Participant Guidebook Page 68 Drivers must use their turn signal at least 100 feet before making a turn in urban areas, and on four- lane highways where the posted speed limit is more than 40 miles per hour, you must signal for 200 feet. An officer can ticket a driver for waiting to turn left in an intersection if they are obstructing traffic. If you are making a left turn, you must begin in the left-most lane. If you are making a right turn, you must begin in the right-most lane, unless traffic signs, signals or lane markings clearly permit turning from more than one lane. It is legal to turn on red from the inside lane of multiple right turn lanes if it is safe to do so and there are no signs prohibiting. It is illegal to make right turn on a solid red arrow. It is illegal to make a left turn from a two-way street to a one-way on a solid red light. U-Turns – Participant Guidebook Page 69 Drivers may not make a U-turn when the vehicle cannot be seen by a driver from either direction at a distance that is necessary to avoid interfering with or endangering approaching traffic. Drivers may not make a U-turn where signs prohibit such a maneuver. Merging – Participant Guidebook Page 70 Drivers of a vehicle entering a roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway to be entered or crossed. Handicapped Parking – Participant Guidebook Page 74 Eligible persons with disabilities may apply for a special parking placard or license plate which grants the person the privilege to park in designated spaces. A vehicle must display a valid special license plate or parking placard in order to park in designated persons with disabilities parking spaces. Driving in Rain, Snow, Fog, Smoke, Dust and Other Conditions – Participant Guidebook Page 75-77 Head and tail lights are required from sunset to sunrise and anytime visibility is less than 1,000 feet. During winter storms, or when conditions require, CDOT will implement the Traction Law. During a Traction Law situation, all motorists are required to have EITHER:

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