Distracted driving isn’t seasonal; it’s pervasive, and the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is asking for your attention behind the wheel.
Troopers investigated 600 injury and fatal crashes caused by distracted driving in 2025 and issued 456 citations for violating Colorado’s Hands-Free law.
“When we conduct crash investigations caused by distracted drivers, often it is a small thing that steals the drivers’ focus from the most important thing at that moment — driving,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the CSP. “Driving is never routine, even if we have routes that are repetitive. Other drivers’ behavior, pedestrians, animals and weather can require us to react quickly and adjust our speed.”
In 2025, troopers identified the human factor in 954 distracted-driving crashes they investigated.
They found that interior distractions (such as insects and nonfood items on the floor and within the vehicle, excluding distractions caused by a passenger) topped the list. In fact, these distractions accounted for just over half of the crashes.
Looking at all human factors for these 1,040 crashes:
1. Distracted/Other Interior — 51.5 percent (493 crashes).
2. Distracted/Other Exterior* — 28 percent (268 crashes).
3. Distracted/Other Occupant — 8 percent (79 crashes).
4. Distracted Eating/Drinking — 7 percent (65 crashes).
5. Distracted/Manipulating Vehicle Control — 4 percent (38 crashes).
6. Distracted Smoking — 1 percent (11 crashes).
*Distracted/Other Exterior is defined as: The driver was distracted by some other source located outside the vehicle (e.g., another crash, reading a billboard, road construction, etc.)
The ability to safely multitask behind the wheel is a myth. Multitasking occurs when your attention switches back and forth between tasks very quickly. Reacting to changing driving conditions, adjusting speed or staying within your designated driving lanes requires constant attention and focus.
Becoming a less distracted driver can be done by changing your mindset and habits every time you drive.
The CSP recommends drivers start with the following five habits:
1. Set your navigation, music and car settings before leaving.
2. Use “Do Not Disturb” mode on your phone and keep electronics deliberately out of reach.
3. Make sure children and pets are correctly secured before driving.
4. Make a rule to never eat or drink in the vehicle.
5. If you are drowsy, pull off the road and take a quick nap or get re-energized.
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