CDOT: 3 in 4 Colorado drivers admit to using phones while driving

DENVER (KDVR) -- Colorado drivers admit to participating in some risky behavior behind the wheel, however, the Colorado Department of Transportation said results from its 2024 Driver Behavior Report reveal some encouraging trends in driver habits.

Each year, CDOT surveys drivers in Colorado to better understand the attitudes and behaviors of people behind the wheel in the state. This year CDOT said it used a mixed-method approach for sampling, including a mail packet and online panel, to get a representative sample of 945 Colorado drivers.

"The results show a decrease in some risky driving behaviors, including impaired driving and seat belt use," CDOT said in a release Monday.

According to CDOT, 299 people have died on Colorado roads so far this year, down 8% from 2023. CDOT said speed, impairment and distracted driving were the top factors in those crashes.

Distracted driving

The survey found that drivers 25 to 44 years old are the most prone to distracted driving behaviors such as using a phone to call or text and eating or drinking while driving.

According to CDOT, 77% of survey respondents admitted that they use their phones while driving. Notably, 45% of that group said that a hands-free feature would stop them from using their phone behind the wheel.

Drivers who were surveyed reported driving while within the last week:

• 42% said they picked up a phone to make or receive a call while driving
• 37% said they picked up a phone to read a message while driving
• 73% reported eating or drinking while driving

Drivers will need to get used to waiting to use a phone until they are not driving and using hands-free accessories in the coming months as drivers will soon be ticketed for holding or using a phone while driving. In June, Gov. Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 24-065, which outlaws the use of a mobile electronic device while driving and will go into effect in 2025. Drivers will still be allowed to use a hands-free accessory.

Impaired driving

More than half of Coloradans (57%) said they never drive under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or prescription drugs, according to the survey results.

However, CDOT reports that many admitted to driving within two hours of drinking alcohol, consuming cannabis or taking prescription drugs.

• 19% said they operated a vehicle within two hours of drinking alcohol in the past month, down 4% from 2023
• 6% reported driving within two hours after consuming cannabis, down 1% from 2023
• 3% reported driving within two hours after taking prescription drugs, down 1% from 2023

Of the drivers who drove under the influence:

• 43% said they would stop if they thought they would get a DUI
• 40% said they would stop if they had a sober friend willing to drive
• 51% said they would stop if they thought they couldn't safely drive
• 49% said they would stop if they thought they were a danger to others

Some Colorado drivers said they agreed that they could drive safely under the influence of prescription medication (12%), cannabis (11%) or alcohol (9%). CDOT notes that most Colorado drivers disagreed with that statement in the last six years.

The survey found that most drivers thought a driver impaired above the legal limit would likely get a DUI if they drove within an hour of consuming alcohol (67%) or consuming cannabis (52%). Additionally, most of the drivers surveyed said they thought it was likely that a law enforcement officer could tell if someone had recently consumed alcohol (77%) or cannabis (60%).

Impaired driving and lane violations were the leading causes of deadly crashes in 2022, according to the Colorado State Patrol.

Speeding

Speeding has been a top factor in deadly crashes for several years, according to CSP. In 2023, speeding was the number one factor in crashes resulting in injury or death.

Most drivers in Colroado say they exceed speed limits at least some of the time on Colorado highways. According to the CDOT survey, 69% said they speed at least sometimes when driving on highways with a speed limit of 65 mph, and 68% said they speed at least sometimes on highways with a speed limit of 55 mph.

The amount of Colorado drivers who reported driving over the speed limit most or all of the time is 16%, down 4% from last year.

The survey found that drivers 18 to 34 years old were more likely to drive over the speed limit at least sometimes on neighborhood roads (35%) than those aged 35 and older (23%).

More results from the survey and the full data report can be found on the CDOT website.