2016 Driver Survey Results Show Coloradans Engaging in Risky Driving Behaviors
A new statewide driver survey was mailed to 845 Colorado residents in November 2016, assessing attitudes and behaviors related to seat belt use, speeding, distracted driving and impaired driving. The survey provides a disturbing snapshot of what is happening on Colorado roadways.
Notable highlights include:
Speeding
- The number of people who drive over the speed limit is increasing. Sixty-nine percent of respondents admit to speeding—up from 65 percent in 2014.
Seat Belts
- Coloradans whose primary vehicle was a pickup truck were most likely to say they never wear seat belts.
- Those in the lowest income bracket were less likely than those with middle or higher incomes to always wear a seat belt when driving close to home.
- Those newer to Colorado were more likely than longer-term residents to always wear a seatbelt.
Distracted Driving
- Twenty-two percent of respondents said they had read a message on a device—and 15 percent wrote a message on a device—while driving in the week before the survey.
- Sixty-two percent reported at least sometimes selecting entertainment on an iPod, CD Player, radio or other device while driving in the week before the survey.
Impaired Driving
- Seventy-three percent would feel comfortable driving after having one or two drinks in a two-hour period.
- Fifty-seven percent of those who used marijuana drove a motor vehicle within two hours after consuming marijuana.
On a positive note, 65 percent of respondents said they would support a law that made seat belt non-use a primary violation. Primary seat belt laws are widely considered effective in reducing fatalities by increasing seat belt use.
