CDOT Launches Teen Awareness Campaign for Graduated Drivers License Laws

On Aug. 9, CDOT launched a continuation of the “Keep Your License Safe” campaign, a humorous and engaging social media effort that targets teen drivers with information about Graduated Drivers License (GDL) laws that specifically apply to them: no cell phones, no passengers under 21, and always wear a seat belt. CDOT is featuring a new video using a “peer-to-peer” messaging model that highlights the importance of buckling up. This video targets rural teens in counties where seat belt usage is statistically lower, and will run alongside existing campaign videos.

​​Tragically, seat belt use is lowest among teen drivers. In fact, the majority of teenagers involved in fatal crashes are unbuckled—in 2019, 45% of teen drivers who died were unbuckled. Even more troubling, when the teen driver involved in the fatal crash was unbuckled, nine out of 10 of the passengers who died were also not wearing their seat belts.

Continued education about GDL laws and enforcement of the restrictions are important for maintaining positive results. Learn more about the GDL laws by accessing the Colorado GDL Toolkit.