Press Release

(COLO) – With the rise of new technology features made available by smartphones and built-in dashboard computers, there are many ways people can get distracted behind the wheel.

(COLO) – To many Coloradoans’ pets are a part of the family and they often accompany us on the road. But how many people who travel with their furry friends are putting them into a harness, a pet carrier or a crate? Any activity, like petting your dog or reaching back to provide a treat to your cat, that takes a driver’s attention away from driving is considered distracted driving. In addition, a free-roaming pet can turn into a deadly projectile during a crash or sudden stop

(COLO) – Distractions while driving aren’t always something we hold in our hands or sit in our passenger seat, sometimes our body’s physical condition, like drowsiness, can be a distraction and prevent us from focusing. According to the National Safety Council, drowsy driving is similar to driving under the influence of alcohol and can make drivers three times more likely to be in a car crash if they are fatigued.

(COLO) – No one starts their vehicle thinking that they are going to injure or kill someone today, yet Colorado State Troopers investigated 600 crashes across the state in 2022 where the at-fault driver was cited for being inattentive to driving.

Distracted driving can come in many forms such as texting, dealing with a fussy child, eating or fiddling with dashboard technology, but studies indicate that a person’s lack of focus may linger beyond the completion of one of these tasks.

(COLO) – Constructions zones have lower speed limits and a number of high-visibility warning devices for good reason, these areas can be dangerous and deadly for roadside workers. Yet despite efforts to capture driver focus and encourage safe driving through work zones, in 2022, Colorado State Troopers investigated 1,138 crashes in construction zones across the state.

(COLO) – The Colorado State Patrol investigated 600 serious injury or fatal crashes across the state in 2022 where the at-fault driver was cited for inattentive driving. In 37 of those crashes, the driver was operating a commercial motor vehicle, this was a 236% increase over 2021.

(COLO) – April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Colorado State Patrol wants motorists to remember that there is no lane reserved for those who choose to drive in a distracted and hazardous manner. When you choose to pick up your phone, drink your morning coffee or hold onto your pet while driving, you become a danger to every motorist on the road with you.

COLO- St. Patrick’s Day weekend is no reason to party without a plan.  Colorado State Troopers will be out in full force across the state looking for those who choose poorly by getting behind the wheel while impaired.

When operating a vehicle after consuming alcohol or drugs, including marijuana, you are putting yourself and others in danger.

(COLORADO) – Mesa County – Over the past three years fatal and injury crashes have significantly increased across Colorado and throughout the US. In 2022, Colorado lost 745 lives to traffic fatalities, the most roadway deaths in the state since 1981. Many of these crashes are caused by simple distractions. Whether your distraction is a cell phone, a tasty bite to eat or even other passengers; that distraction is definitely not worth a life.

COLORADO – The Colorado State Patrol is reminding motorcycle riders safety is crucial while on the roadways and that excessive speed can be detrimental when trying to avoid hazards.

In 2022, there were 82 motorcycle fatalities on Colorado roadways, compared to 78 fatalities in 2021, which is a 5% increase.