Driver behavior is a key contributing factor in a majority of Colorado’s fatal and serious injury crashes. While technological advancements have helped make vehicles safer, they are also coupled with more driver distractions. Safe Driving targets high-risk driver behaviors including driving while impaired and/or distracted, aggressive driving, occupant protection (seat belts and/or helmets) and speeding.
Safe Driving Trends
Fatalities by Behavioral Factors - Graph
Fatalities by Behavioral Factors - Table
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Fatalities per Year | 632 | 597 | 622 | 691 | 754 |
| Impaired (Alcohol/Drugs) | 222 | 176 | 110 | 147 | 147 |
| Speeding | 210 | 239 | 287 | 202 | 291 |
| Aggressive | 70 | 82 | 72 | 108 | 151 |
| Improper Seatbelt Usage | 215 | 196 | 208 | 230 | 242 |
The data provided above for the most recent year is considered preliminary. Please refer to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the most accurate fatality data for the state of Colorado. The data source of the data above is the Colorado Department of Transportation crash database. Please note that Speeding and Aggressive Driving numbers as demonstrated in the graph above may be underreported due to the subjectivity involved in crash reporting. Distracted Driving is not shown, as data for this factor is not robustly available. Additionally, Improper Seatbelt Usage fatality data (related to Occupant Protection) is only collected for passenger vehicles and encompasses fatalities amongst passenger vehicle occupants not wearing a seatbelt or wearing a seatbelt improperly. Reference more crash data and key transportation safety data information.
Impaired
Driving
The purpose of the impaired driving focus area is to implement strategies that reduce the number of fatal and serious injury crashes on Colorado roadways. Meeting this challenge requires a combination of strong laws and enforcement, innovative technologies and robust education and prevention programs.
Distracted
Driving
Responding to a text message, turning to talk to a passenger, or reaching for a french fry may seem harmless, but this dangerous driving behavior accounted for 65 fatal crashes across Colorado in 2021.
Like impaired driving, reducing distractions requires a combination of strong laws and enforcement, and robust education and prevention programs.
Aggressive
Driving
Aggressive driving is a know it when you see it behavior. Actions that constitute aggressive driving may include speeding in heavy traffic, tailgating, running red lights, cutting off other drivers and weaving in/out of traffic. Aggressive driving is increasing across the United States. In a study conducted by AAA Foundation in 2019, nearly 80% of drivers felt anger or frustration behind the wheel.
Occupant
Protection
Proper seat belt usage reduces the risk of injury or death in a crash by 50%. Vehicle occupants can be ejected from a vehicle and killed without a fastened seat belt. According to the 2023 Colorado Statewide Seat Belt Survey, Colorado’s seat belt use rate is 89%, below the national average of 92%. Seat belt use was lowest among pickup truck drivers (82.9% use rate) — a stark difference compared to SUVs (91.4% use rate). Additionally, vehicle collisions are a leading cause of death for children ages 1 to 13. In 2022, out of over 5,000 car seat checks performed in Colorado, there was a 66% misuse rate.
Speeding
Speeding is considered a type of aggressive driving behavior and is a major contributing factor in many crashes. The rise in speeding has been attributed to traffic, running late, anonymity, disregard for speed limits and roadway design.
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