Colorado State Patrol is sounding the alarm as National Distracted Driving Month kicks off, revealing that distracted driving remains the second leading cause of crashes across the state. With over 3,700 incidents investigated last year alone, officials are launching an aggressive multi-month campaign to combat a problem that extends far beyond just cell phones.
The Hidden Dangers Beyond Your Phone
While most drivers associate distracted driving with texting, Colorado State Patrol Trooper Gabriel Moltrer emphasizes that the danger lurks in everyday activities many consider harmless.
Eating a quick breakfast on the way to work, adjusting your GPS mid-drive, or reaching for a coffee can all prove deadly. According to CSP, any activity that pulls your focus from the road qualifies as a dangerous distraction.
“If you’re not sure if something can be a distraction while you’re driving, if it is taking any amount of time off of the road, off of your focus on what you are currently doing while driving, that is going to be a distraction,” Moltrer explained.
The statistics paint a sobering picture. In 2024, Colorado State Patrol investigated 3,778 crashes caused by distracted driving. These incidents ranged from property damage to fatal collisions, making distraction the number two crash cause statewide.
What Drivers Need To Do Right Now
Colorado State Patrol offers clear, actionable steps every driver should follow before turning the ignition key.
Pre-drive preparation is critical. Set your navigation before shifting into drive. Send necessary texts and make phone calls while parked. Finish meals at home or in a parking lot, not while navigating traffic.
The goal is simple yet lifesaving. Remove every possible distraction before your vehicle moves.
“That way, whatever distractions there may be in your vehicle, you are taking them out of play. That way, you have your main focus on the road in front of you for anything unexpected that might jump out in front of you,” Moltrer stated.
Key Prevention Steps:
- Complete all navigation setup before driving
- Finish phone calls and texts while parked
- Eat meals in designated safe areas only
- Secure loose items that might require reaching
- Adjust mirrors and climate controls before departure
Enforcement Ramps Up Through Summer
Colorado State Patrol is not limiting their efforts to April awareness campaigns alone. Troopers will intensify enforcement of the Colorado Hands Free law while launching an educational initiative spanning multiple months.
The campaign extends through what officials call the “100 deadly days of summer,” a period historically marked by increased crash rates. Officers will combine ticketing with public education to drive home the message about distraction dangers.
This dual approach aims to change driver behavior through both consequences and awareness. CSP hopes the sustained focus will create lasting habits that protect all road users.
More Than Just Tickets At Stake
Trooper Moltrer stressed that the campaign’s purpose transcends revenue generation or citation quotas. The true mission centers on preserving lives and preventing the trauma that distracted driving crashes inflict on families.
Every distracted driving crash represents a preventable tragedy. Behind each statistic lies a real person who might have avoided injury or death with full attention on the road.
“Troopers are not only going to be focusing on enforcing the Colorado Hands Free law because that is a distraction, but we’re also going to be launching a multi-month campaign to educate motorists about the dangers of allowing those distractions while you’re driving,” Moltrer noted.
The patrol encourages drivers to view Distracted Driving Month as a personal reset opportunity. By committing to distraction-free driving now, motorists can establish safer habits that protect themselves, their passengers, and fellow road users year-round.
As April unfolds and Colorado roads see increased traffic heading into summer travel season, state patrol officials urge every driver to make a simple pledge. Keep your eyes on the road, your hands on the wheel, and your mind focused solely on the task of driving safely. That split-second glance at your phone or bite of food could mean the difference between arriving safely and becoming another preventable statistic.
Share your commitment to distraction-free driving in the comments below. Let’s make Colorado roads safer together this April and beyond.
