New CDOT report shows extent of distracted and impaired driving
News Release
Statewide — The Colorado Department of Transportation has released its 2024 Driver Behavior Report, which reveals encouraging trends in driving habits. The results show a decrease in some risky driving behaviors, including impaired driving and seat belt use.
The random-sample survey evaluated 945 Colorado residents’ attitudes and behaviors concerning seat belt use, speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving. Key findings of the report include:
- Drivers aged 25 to 44 are particularly prone to distracted driving behaviors. These include picking up a phone to make calls, read messages, and send messages, and eating or drinking while behind the wheel.
- 77% of Colorado drivers admitted to using their phones while driving, with 45% saying a hands-free feature in their car would stop them from using their phone.
- 42% of drivers said they picked up a phone to make or receive a call while driving in the last week.
- 37% said they picked up a phone to read a message while driving in the last week.
- 73% of drivers in Colorado reported eating or drinking while driving in the past week.
- 19% of Colorado drivers said they had operated a vehicle within two hours of drinking alcohol in the past month, 6% reported driving within two hours after consuming cannabis, and 3% after taking prescription drugs.
- More than half of Coloradans (57%) say they never drive under the influence of alcohol, cannabis and/or prescription drugs.
- Most drivers thought it was likely that a police officer could tell when someone recently consumed alcohol (77%) or cannabis (60%).
- Most drivers thought a person would be likely to get a DUI if they drove within an hour of consuming alcohol (67%) or cannabis (52%) if impaired above the legal limit.
- While 89% of drivers said they always wear a seat belt when driving, this dropped to 80% with trip distances of less than two miles.
- Male drivers reported lower overall seat belt use (86%) than female drivers (92%).
- 91% of drivers with newer car models indicated they are more likely to use seat belts compared to those driving vehicles manufactured before 2005.
Speeding
- 16% of motorists say they drive over the speed limit most or all of the time. This is down 4% from last year.
- Most drivers said they speed at least some of the time when driving on highways (69% on main highways (speed limit of 65mph) and 68% on local highways (speed limit of 55 mph)).
- Drivers aged 18 to 34 (35%) were more likely than those aged 35 and older (23%) to say they drive over the speed limit at least some of the time on neighborhood roads.
- Drivers thought they would be more likely to get stopped by police when consistently speeding over a 30-mph limit (58%) than a 65-mph limit (41%).
- 62% of motorcycle riders wear a helmet all of the time; 7% said they wear a helmet none of the time.
- Most Colorado motorcycle riders (73%) noted that their license includes a motorcycle endorsement.
- 62% of drivers said they always give extra space when following a motorcycle.
- Nearly nine out of ten (85%) drivers said they stop for pedestrians using a crosswalk all the time.
- Alternatively, 45% said they stop for pedestrians not using a crosswalk all the time.
“This data provides valuable insights into the behaviors of Colorado drivers,” said CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk. “The results reveal areas of progress, ongoing issues and opportunities for education, including the need for improved seat belt use, reduction of distractions and speeding. These findings will help CDOT continue to develop targeted education campaigns that address risky behaviors and improve the overall safety of our roads.”
So far this year, there are been 299 fatalities on Colorado roads, down 8% from this time last year. The top crash factors in these crashes were speed, impairment and distracted driving.
The 2024 survey utilized a mixed-method approach for sampling, including a mail packet and online panel, to ensure a representative sample of Colorado drivers.
Crash Not Accident
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