Colorado State Patrol identifies top factors of crashes involving younger drivers
COLORADO (KRDO) -- The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is identifying the top factors of crashes where younger drivers are at fault.
CSP has identified the following top five factors:
- Distracted driving
- Following other vehicles too closely
- Speeding
- Lane violations (which is often an indicator of impairment, speeding, or driving distracted)
- Failure to yield right of way
“It’s not uncommon to see a less experienced driver overestimate their abilities or get caught up in trying to impress others, by going a little too fast, following a little too close, or letting a friend distract them,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Who didn’t think they were invincible as a teen or 20-year-old? It is up to the parents and adults around them to get involved and have the hard conversations.”
CSP adds that discussions on speeding, impaired driving, and distracted driving will not be a one-time conversation with parents. As confidence grows, speeding and distractions often increase, many times coupled together.
“It's not hard to see how a distracted driver could weave outside of their lane or fail to stop at a light,” Col. Packard said. “Equally people that are exceeding the posted speed often don’t leave enough space for drivers ahead and around them and they frequently move outside of their lane when the roadway curves or conditions change.”
CSP is encouraging parents to talk to young drivers, install a driving app or car tracking device, model good behavior, and set an expectation that the law will be followed.
