Colorado State Patrol plans Friday enforcement operation to stop distracted driving

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Just two days after a 12-year-old died in an El Paso County crash reportedly caused by a distracted driver, the Colorado State Patrol announced a one-day, statewide effort to stop the dangerous driving habit.

Troopers plan to work with local law enforcement agencies Friday, March 10 on what's described in a CSP release as a "strict enforcement effort to put an end to distracted driving."

The CSP will focus on major highways - such as Interstate 25, U.S. 50., and U.S. 160 in southern Colorado - with the intent of watching for lane violations, speeding, and careless and reckless driving that could be caused by distracted driving.

Troopers cite cell phone usage, eating, and distractions by passengers as the main factors causing drivers to be distracted and not concentrate on safe driving habits.

A motivating reason behind the operation is what the CSP describes as a "significant increase" in serious and deadly crashes across the state since 2019; troopers said that last year, 745 people died in highway traffic accidents -- the most since 1981.

Troopers said that distracted driving can result in a citation for improper, reckless, or careless driving -- which is punishable by points off your driver's license, fines of up to $300, and higher auto insurance premiums.

The CSP said that it issued more than 16,000 such citations in 2021, and that distracted driving is the top cause of crashes among drivers between the ages of 16 and 21.

"Proving that a driver was distracted by something really isn't the actual part of the ticket," said Master Trooper Gary Cutler, of the CSP. "It's because they were doing something illegal -- such as going out of their lane, or following too closely. We can put in our notes that we either believe a driver was distracted, or they told us that."

Jeremy Loew, a Colorado Springs defense attorney, said that contesting a distracted driving-related citation is difficult.

"It's really the officer's word against the word of your client," he said. "Often times, you don't want your clients to testify because they're so nervous on the stand -- whereas officers are trained to testify, and they come across as more calm, cool and collected."

Loew advised anyone who receives such a citation to confess nothing and cooperate with the trooper, officer or deputy.

"They have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you were at fault," he said. "It's hard to do that unless they have dash cam video that shows you committed a violation. It'll be interesting to see what happens Friday. They should be doing this kind of enforcement every day, not just occasionally."

Cutler said that the CSP doesn't have the resources to do this kind of increased enforcement more frequently.

The CSP offers the following recommendations to drivers:

• Avoid using cell phones while behind the wheel, and pull over or stop in safe locations if you need to use your phone, or have a passenger in your vehicle use the phone for you.
• Open packages and bags of snacks before driving, and avoid eating meals while vehicles are in motion.
• Report dangerous driving by calling troopers at *CSP.
• Drive within the speed limit, especially during adverse weather conditions.
• Always wear seat belts and never drive while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Friday's enforcement operation is part of the CSP's yearlong campaign, Stay in Your Lane, to remind people to drive safely by eliminating aggressive, distracted, or impaired driving.