Leading causes of motor vehicle crashes
The leading causes of motor vehicle crashes and fatalities include:
- Speeding.
- Speeding was the top cause of fatal crashes in Colorado in 2023. (Colorado Department of Transportation website)
- Impaired driving.
- Distracted driving.
- Not using seat belts.
- Aggressive driving.
New Colorado Hands-Free Law
A new Colorado law will go into effect on January 1, 2025, that prohibits drivers from using a mobile electronic device while driving, though hands-free accessories are permitted. Penalties for violating the law start with a $75 fine and two license suspension points for the first offense.
- Learn more about the Colorado Hands-Free Law
Shift into Safety
The Colorado Department of Transportation's Shift into Safe campaign encourages all people in Colorado to actively change their mindset and make a conscious decision to pay attention and be safe every time they get behind a wheel.
- Shift into Safe English video. (YouTube)
- Shift into Safe Spanish video. (YouTube)
Colorado Department of Transportation
Educate yourself about these laws and safety measures from our Colorado Department of Transportation partners.
Car Seats Colorado's mission is to provide an environment in Colorado where every child is properly secured in an approved and appropriate restraint system while riding in a motor vehicle.
- Updates to Colorado Child Passenger Safety Laws
- Learn more about how Colorado’s child passenger safety law is changing on January 1, 2025.
Seasonal and high altitude tips for driving in Colorado.
Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of crashes and fatalities in Colorado. Any behavior that takes your focus away from the road is dangerous. That includes:
- eating
- texting
- talking on the phone or to a passenger
- looking after children or pets
- reading
- watching videos
The Shift into Safe campaign encourages all people in Colorado to actively change their mindset and make a conscious decision to pay attention and be safe every time they get behind a wheel.
- Shift into Safe English video. (YouTube)
- Shift into Safe Spanish video. (YouTube)
1 out of every 3 traffic deaths in Colorado involved an impaired driver.
DUI and DWAI
- Even after only one or two drinks, some people may be close to or exceed Colorado’s DUI (Driving Under the Influence) and DWAI (Driving While Ability Impaired) limits. Learn more about impaired driving.
Drugged driving
- THC is proven to slow reaction time, reduce focus, and temporarily weaken problem-solving skills. Learn more about cannabis-impaired driving.
From the Safe Routes to School Program to the Share the Road Campaign, you will find information and resources to help you learn more about safe bicycling and walking. You can also learn more about the various health and economic benefits of bicycling and walking, and find the resources you need to make your community more bike and pedestrian-friendly. You can even get involved in Colorado’s annual Bike to Work Day, or learn how to plan your own walking or bicycling event.
Colorado’s many hills, turns and gravel-ridden roadways make for dangerous conditions. Be careful and aware of your surroundings. CDOT is working to make Colorado’s roads safer for all users, including motorcyclists.
Not only is wearing a seat belt required by law, but they protect you against the most unforgiving laws of all — physics. From low-speed crashes to violent rollovers, wearing one protects against intense amounts of force. Wearing your seat belt protects you and those around you. Make sure everyone in your car is buckled up. Together, we can save lives and keep Colorado safe. Buckle up and shift into safe.
Data resources
- Injury in Colorado, 2012-2014. (PDF)
- Colorado Child Fatality Prevention System. (CDPHE webpage)
Resources
Pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle safety
- Learn about pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle safety.
Distracted driving
- Learn about the types of distracted driving and the impact they have.
Tribal road safety
- Explore proven strategies to reduce motor vehicle injuries and deaths among tribal communities.
Seat belts
- Learn how seat belt use can prevent injuries and deaths.
Impaired driving
Global road safety
- Learn more about global road safety.
CDOT Shift Into Safety Newsletter (CDOT website)
Colorado Safe Driver is a joint initiative of the Colorado State Patrol and the Colorado State Patrol Family Foundation which seeks to reduce motor vehicle crashes and their resulting injuries and fatalities by promoting safe driving practices through education and public awareness efforts.
The Colorado Department of Transportation’s Office of Transportation Safety provides funding opportunities each year for local communities to address the above motor vehicle safety issues.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration’s Counter Measures That Work is intended to be a reference guide for State Highway Safety Offices to help select effective, science-based traffic safety countermeasures to address highway safety problem areas in their States.