The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) recently published its 2024 Driver Behavior Report, shedding light on the state of driving in Colorado. The findings of the report offer a glimpse of hope, showing reductions in certain high-risk driving behaviors such as impaired driving and lax seat belt usage among Colorado drivers, as reported by CDOT.
Based on a survey of 945 Coloradans, the report found a significant 77% of drivers admitting to phone use while on the move, this includes activities like making calls, reading, and sending messages. In attempts to curb this habit, 45% of those surveyed stated that having hands-free features in their vehicle would help deter them from reaching for their phones. When it comes to impaired driving, the study revealed that 19% of drivers reported getting behind the wheel within two hours of drinking alcohol in the past month.
Seat belt usage is another area where behavior seems to be shifting, with 89% claiming they always buckle up during a drive. That percentage takes a dip to 80% when the trip is shorter than two miles, indicating some complacency on shorter journeys. The survey also highlighted that younger drivers, specifically those aged between 18 to 34, tend to exceed speed limits more frequently than their older counterparts, particularly on neighborhood roads.
Motorcyclists in Colorado are on the more cautious side, with 62% wearing their helmets consistently, while 62% of drivers claimed to keep a safe distance when following a motorcycle. Pedestrian safety is also featured in the survey, revealing that 85% of drivers say they stop for pedestrians in crosswalks every single time, yet, the figure drops to 45% for those not using a crosswalk.
According to CDOT, “This data provides valuable insights into the behaviors of Colorado drivers,” expressed Darrell Lingk, Director of the CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety. He emphasized the use of the report’s findings to “continue to develop targeted education campaigns that address risky behaviors and improve the overall safety of our roads.” The report comes at a critical time as Colorado has recorded a decrease in road fatalities, with 299 fatalities this year, marking an 8% reduction compared to last year’s data.
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