Nearly 3,800 crashes caused by distracting driving on Colorado roads in 2025

Colorado State Patrol is reminding all drivers that distracted driving can lead to life or death consequences.

Distracted driving includes texting, daydreaming and basically anything that takes your eyes off the road for more than a few milliseconds. April marks Distracted Driving Awareness Month, so troopers are warning drivers of consequences.

Troopers say in 2025, they investigated 3,778 crashes caused by distracted driving. Troopers say distracted driving is the number two cause of crashes in Colorado.

The Colorado Department of Transportation says based on their 2025 Driving Behavior Survey, nearly three out of four drivers said they ate food or drank beverages while driving in the last seven days, and nearly two out of three said they talked on a phone which wasn't hands-free.

CDOT and CSP are reminding drivers of the Hands-Free Law. This means it is illegal to drive with your cellphone in your hand.

Troopers say when you are behind the wheel, you should always prepare for the unexpected. With Colorado having a large wildlife population, drivers should watch out for them crossing the roadways.

Troopers also remind drivers that it is especially important to be careful around parks, neighborhoods, and cities. These are places with heavy foot traffic. In a pedestrian-vehicle crash scenario, your car will almost alway severely injure even kill the other person involved.

Troopers say if you have a passenger in your car that usually distracts you, they may need to find another ride.

"If your passengers are going to be a distraction, you might need to think about not having them in your vehicle in future instances," Trooper Gabriel Moltrer, Colorado State Patrol. "You want to ensure that you do have your full focus on the road. You have to make sure that your passengers understand that when you are driving, you are focused solely on getting to that place as safely as possible."

Troopers say seconds really do matter when you are driving. It only takes a second to ruin someone's life in a crash that you caused by distracted driving.