(COLO) – Learning to drive is an important milestone for most adolescents. While teen drivers gain experience, their crash risk is high. Last year, Colorado State Troopers investigated 4,270 at-fault crashes by drivers aged 16-21. These crashes resulted in over 627 significant injuries and 27 fatalities. Seat belt laws increase seat belt use, ultimately saving lives.
“Drivers, especially young ones, often underestimate the destruction that will be done in a crash, even at slow rates of speed,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Risk perception is often low for teens and driving errors are normal as they gain experience.”
While Colorado is one of 15 states whose seat belt law is a secondary offense for adults, this is not the case for anyone under 18. If a child under the care of a parent or a driver under 18 is found improperly restrained, it will be treated as a primary offense and will result in a larger fine.
Colorado’s seat belt law.
- Adults — Colorado has a secondary enforcement law for adult drivers and front-seat passengers. Drivers can be ticketed for violating the seat belt law if they are stopped for another traffic violation. A driver violating the seat belt law commits a Class B traffic infraction and is subject to a $65 fine and a $6 surcharge.
- Teens — Colorado’s Graduated Drivers Licensing (GDL) law requires all drivers under 18 and their passengers, regardless of age, to wear seat belts. This is a primary enforcement, meaning teens can be pulled over simply for not wearing a seat belt or having passengers without seat belts. Automatic summons to court and 2 points.
- Children — Colorado's Child Passenger Safety law is a primary enforcement, meaning the driver can be stopped and ticketed if an officer sees an unrestrained or improperly restrained child under 18 in the vehicle. Parents or caregivers caught with an improperly restrained child can receive a minimum fine of $82.
While some Coloradoans oppose safety laws, arguing that they violate personal freedom, seat belt laws were passed as a matter of public health. Tweens and teens will test limits as they learn and grow, which is why parents' behavior will be a key factor in their seat belt use.
The five counties that ranked at the bottom for seatbelt usage rates in 2024 were:
- Jefferson County (77%) – worst seat belt usage in Colorado
- Pueblo County (79%)
- Weld County (80.59%)
- Otero County (84.95%)
- Las Animas County (86.24%)
The Colorado State Patrol is launching a multi-month RU Clicking campaign to increase awareness and use of seat belts across Colorado. This campaign targets the youngest and newest drivers to close the gap between the 92% national seat belt use rate and Colorado’s 88% seat belt use rate. Buckle Like a Boss.
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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. For additional information, visit us online at Colorado State Patrol or follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.