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Motor vehicle drivers

Colorado Drivers Making Strides Toward Safer Roads, Yet Challenges Remain

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Colorado drivers are working towards making the roads safer, according to the 2025 Driver Behavior Report by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Released ahead of the annual Traffic Safety Summit, this report highlights areas where progress has been made and where challenges persist. The summit, taking place this week in Breckenridge, brings together over 340 transportation professionals and safety advocates to address pressing issues such as impaired driving, distracted driving, pedestrian safety, speeding, and seat belt use.

Key Takeaways:

  • The number of unsafe driving behaviors per driver dropped for the second year in a row, falling to 1.19 in 2025 from 1.27 in 2024 and 1.35 in 2023.
  • Despite this progress, over one-third of drivers report speeding on highways, with 36% saying they drive over the speed limit most or all the time.
  • Ninety percent of Colorado drivers reported wearing their seat belt all the time when driving, with lower rates among drivers of vehicles older than 2001, drivers aged 18 to 45, drivers without a college degree, male drivers, and those who picked up their phone while driving.
  • The percentage of Colorado drivers who picked up a phone to make calls decreased from 42% in 2024 to 34% in 2025, while the share that picked up a phone to send a message decreased from 30% to 23%.
  • Twenty-one percent of all drivers said they drove within two hours of consuming alcohol, cannabis, or impairing prescription drugs in the last 30 days, with a significant decrease from 2023 (28%).
  • Most motorcycle riders (78%) said they wear a helmet most or all the time when riding, while a larger share of riders (13%) said they never wear a helmet in 2025 up from 4% in 2023.
  • Young drivers were found to be more likely to engage in risky driving behaviors, including picking up their phone to make or receive calls, read text messages, and send text messages while driving.
  • The study revealed that male drivers and individuals between the ages of 25 and 44 were the most likely to engage in risky driving behaviors.

Statistics:

  • Number of unsafe driving behaviors per driver: 1.19 (2025), 1.27 (2024), 1.35 (2023)
  • Percentage of drivers who speed on highways: 36%
  • Seat belt use rate: 90%
  • Reduction in phone-related distracted driving: 8% decrease in picking up phone to make calls, 7% decrease in sending messages
  • Reduction in impaired driving: 21% (2025), 23% (2024), 28% (2023)
  • Motorcycle helmet use rate: 78%
  • Young driver attitudes towards driving safely under the influence: 47% of young drivers believe they can drive safely under the influence of cannabis

Sources:

  • Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) 2025 Driver Behavior Report
  • CDOT's Executive Director Shoshana Lew
  • CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk
  • Traffic Safety Summit press release
  • Crash Not Accident initiative note to reporters

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