How the “Idaho Stop” Bill Benefits Colorado Cyclists
Cyclists are at increased risk of severe injury when involved in accidents with vehicles, other cyclists, and pedestrians. While the appropriate gear can go a long way to help prevent injury in minor fender benders, a more serious accident can cause cyclists a lot of physical, emotional, and financial damage. Fortunately, through Colorado’s personal injury law, by filing an insurance claim or pursuing a lawsuit (when necessary), an injured cyclist can hold the negligent party liable by holding them or their insurance company responsible for paying them a monetary award for their injury and any subsequent losses caused by the bicycle injury or accident.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by another party’s recklessness or carelessness, you may be entitled to financial compensation. A skilled Colorado personal injury lawyer can help you prove liability and negligence to achieve the best possible result for your situation. Contact a trusted personal injury lawyer today to understand your legal options and the best way to move forward to recover maximum compensation.
What Is an Idaho Stop?
Colorado has passed a bill that legalizes the “Idaho Stop” in order to help improve the safety of cyclists on the road. This bill legalizes the act of treating a stop sign as a yield sign and red lights as stop signs as long as the coast is clear. It is referred to as the “Idaho Stop” because it was first implemented in Idaho in 1982. The bill has been in effect for over 30 years and is also allowed in the following states:
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Oklahoma
- North Dakota
- Washington
- Utah
The implementation of this bill is unlikely to change much in the way traffic flows as these behaviors are common among cyclists even if it wasn’t strictly legal. The Idaho Stop law can also be referred to as “yield top law” or stop-as-yield.”
What Does the “Idaho Stop” Bill Mean for Cyclists and Motorists?
Colorado House Bill 1028, or the bill that will legalize the Idaho Stop, will permit a person riding a bicycle, e-scooter, or electric-assisted bicycle to:
- Treat stop signs as yield signs: they don’t need to complete a full stop but can instead continue cycling as long as it is safe.
- Treat red lights like stop signs: meaning they must make a complete stop, but they can continue onward if the coast is clear.
This bill aims to minimize conflicts on the road and improve traffic flow by allowing cyclists to continue moving so that motorists don’t have to wait on them. Intersections are often the most dangerous places for cyclists. There are often many cars and pedestrians at intersections that pose a great risk to them. With the legalization of the Idaho Stop, they can now get off intersections faster and prevent conflict and accidents.
Prior to the implementation of House Bill 1028, Colorado laws on cyclists’ behavior at stop signs and red lights were inconsistent and varied from county to county. Now there is uniformity around the state. Furthermore, research from other states who’ve implemented the Idaho Stop suggests that House Bill 1028 will increase safety for cyclists and motorists on the road.
Experienced Colorado Personal Injury Lawyer at Mintz Law Firm
When you’re injured or suffer great losses because of someone else’s carelessness or recklessness, you deserve to pursue compensation and hold that party responsible. At Mintz Law Firm, we are dedicated to serving the communities of Colorado and committed to helping injured accident victims recover the damages they are owed.
If you’ve been injured in an accident caused by another party’s negligence, Mintz Law Firm is here to help you recover full and just compensation. Our personal injury lawyers have decades of combined experience in building strong claims and achieving favorable outcomes.
To speak with one of our attorneys and schedule a consultation, you can call (303) 462-2999 or fill out our contact form.