Colorado State Patrol says distracted-driving crashes peak during rush-hour commutes
The Colorado State Patrol is warning drivers that familiar, repetitive routes — like daily commutes to work or school — can lead to complacency behind the wheel and a higher risk of distracted-driving crashes, particularly during weekday rush-hour periods.
Over a five-year period from 2021 to 2025, the Colorado roadways with the most distracted-driving crashes were also the busiest, the agency said. Interstate 25 led the list with 2,910 crashes, followed by Interstate 70 with 994, Interstate 76 and Highway 470 with 645 each, and Highway 50 with 522.
Prior Colorado State Patrol analyses have shown the scale of the problem — at one point averaging 43 distracted-driving crashes per day on state roadways.
The crashes occurred most often Monday through Friday, with the morning commute from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. and the evening commute from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. producing the highest number of inattentive driving incidents.
“Being too comfortable behind the wheel can cause a driver to go on an ‘autopilot’ state, risking their safety and everyone else who shares the road,” said Colonel Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Break the monotony of your routine by listening to different music or podcasts, actively scanning the road, and even varying your route.”
The agency said seasoned drivers who repeatedly travel the same route should proactively combat complacency — the mindset that leads motorists to feel they can send a quick text, eat a meal, or groom themselves while driving.
The Colorado State Patrol is highlighting the issue during Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer, encouraging motorists to focus on a single task: driving. Colorado’s Hands Free law, which generally prohibits holding a cell phone while driving, took effect on January 1, 2025.
“Seconds Matter, drop the distractions,” the agency said.
