(COLO) – Small changes can make a big difference. This April Colorado State Troopers want you to adopt a new behavior to reduce distractions while driving in recognition of National Distracted Driving Month. Last year, Colorado State Troopers issued 13,252 citations for improper, reckless, or careless driving and investigated 268 fatal and serious injury crashes involving a distracted driver.
“When we conduct crash investigations caused by distracted drivers, often it is a small thing that steals the drivers’ focus from the most important thing at that moment - driving,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “We may drive the same roads daily, but nothing is ever ‘routine.’ Other drivers, pedestrians, animals and weather can require us to react quickly or adjust our speed.”
In 2024, Colorado State Patrol crash investigators determined the most common human factors for the 268 fatal and serious injury crashes involving distracted driving. They found that interior distractions (such as insects and non-food objects on the floor and within the vehicle, not including distractions by a passenger) topped the list, accounting for over a third of these crashes. Looking at the top five human factors for these 268 crashes:
- Distracted/Other Interior – 36.5% (98 crashes)
- Distracted/Other Exterior* – 21.6% (58 crashes)
- Driver asleep or Fatigued – 21% (57 crashes)
- Distracted/Other Occupant – 9.7% (26 crashes)
- Distracted Eating/Drinking – 3.7% (10 crashes)
Becoming a less distracted driver can be done by changing your mindset and habits every time you drive.
The Colorado State Patrol recommends drivers start by adopting the following five habits:
- Set your navigation, music, and car settings before leaving.
- Use “Do Not Disturb” mode on your phone and keep electronics deliberately out of reach.
- Make sure children and pets are correctly secured before driving.
- Make a rule to never eat or drink in the vehicle.
- If you are drowsy, pull off the road and take a quick nap or get re-energized.
*Distracted/Other Exterior (defined as): The driver was distracted by some other source located outside the vehicle (e.g., another crash, reading a billboard, road construction, etc.)
The Colorado State Patrol recognizes Distracted Driving Awareness Month by sharing data and tips to encourage all Colorado drivers to focus on one task: driving when they get behind the wheel. Colorado’s Hands Free law went into effect on January 1, 2025. There is no lane reserved for you to drive distracted, drop the distractions.
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ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs. In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the Governor and other dignitaries’ protection, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more.