With distractions both inside and outside of the vehicle pulling for our attention, too many drivers have taken a “multi-tasking” approach while behind the wheel. In 2021 alone, the Colorado State Patrol saw a 47% increase in fatal crashes caused by distracted driving in the crashes troopers investigated.
Distracted driving can often result in a citation for improper, reckless or careless driving. The Colorado State Patrol issued over 16,000 of these citations in 2021. While I-25 and I-70 claimed the top two locations for these citations, the third location could not be specifically identified as rural roads and neighborhood streets superseded any other national or state highways in Colorado.
Keeping in mind that adult Colorado drivers can only accumulate 12 points in a 12-month period, or 18 points in a 24-month period before driving privileges are suspended, check out some of these scenarios:
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If you are distracted while driving and cross over the center or side line of your lane, you can get cited for weaving. This includes 3 points on your license, $100 fine plus surcharges and increase in your insurance premiums.
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If you run a stop sign or light because you were looking somewhere else, this will lead to four points on your license, a $100 fine with surcharges and increase your insurance premiums.
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(accompanied with another charge) If you are over 18, and get a ticket for text messaging while operating a motor vehicle will get four points on their license, $300 fine plus surcharges plus a likely increase in your insurance premiums.
Give the responsibility of driving the respect it is due. Put down the food, the phone, and don’t allow your passengers to distract you. If you get behind the wheel, make driving your focus.