Bill to Loosen Police Duty to Write Accident Reports Introduced

Reps. Larry Liston, R-Colorado Springs, and Mike Merrifield, D-Colorado Springs, have introduced a bill that would ease the obligation of law enforcement agencies to write reports of traffic accidents.

HB 1198 would raise the threshold required for a report prepared by a police officer from $1,000 to $3,500 in property damage. It makes clear that law enforcement officer-generated reports would be required if an accident causes injury or death, a police officer has reasonable cause to believe one or more of the involved drivers is under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or if one or more of the drivers has a suspended or revoked driver license or lacks insurance or proof of insurance.

If the bill passes the law will require motorists involved in accidents with less than $3,500 in property damage, and which don't involve the other conditions specified above, to self-report to the state's database.