Freeway security officers in Colorado are seeing a slight decline in plenty of harmful driving practices, resembling driving whereas intoxicated, failing to make use of seat belts and dashing.
A ballot by the Colorado Division of Transportation assessed the opinions and actions of roughly 945 Colorado residents to supply the 2024 Driver Behavior Report.
Up to now this yr, there have been 299 fatalities on Colorado roads, down 8% from this time final yr. The highest crash elements within the crashes have been pace, impairment and distracted driving, in response to the division.
Distracted driving habits like utilizing cellphones or consuming and consuming have been discovered to be commonest amongst drivers between the ages of 25 and 44.
The overwhelming majority of respondents (77%) acknowledged utilizing their telephones whereas driving, however 45% stated a hands-free choice would assist them stop utilizing their telephones whereas driving. Greater than a 3rd (37%) checked their messages on their telephones whereas driving up to now week previous to taking the ballot, and 42% stated they took a name. The bulk (73%) of respondents additionally stated they’ve eaten or drunk a beverage whereas working a motorized vehicle.
“Whereas selecting up a telephone to make calls, learn messages, and/or ship messages typically decreased with age, drivers aged 25–44 have been the most probably to say that they had accomplished every of those within the final week,” the report states. “Most drivers of this demographic stated that they had picked up a telephone to make calls (54%) or learn messages (53%) whereas driving over the past seven days.”
Almost one-in-five (19%) ballot takers acknowledged driving inside two hours after utilizing alcohol, 6% after consuming hashish and three% after taking prescription medicines.
Nonetheless, 57% of respondents stated they by no means drive whereas intoxicated.
Most respondents consider that police can establish if somebody has just lately used hashish (60%) or alcohol (77%). Moreover, 67% of respondents consider that consuming alcohol inside an hour will increase the chance of a DUI, and 52% say the identical about hashish if the person is impaired above the authorized restrict.
Though 89% of drivers often buckle up, solely 80% accomplish that when touring lower than 2 miles. Seat belt use is decrease amongst male drivers (86%) than feminine drivers (92%). When in comparison with drivers of autos made earlier than 2005, 91% of drivers of newer fashions usually tend to make the most of seat belts.
Sixteen % of drivers say they pace most or on a regular basis, a 4% drop from the earlier yr. Most drivers stated they pace a minimum of among the time when driving on highways (69% on major highways with a pace restrict of 65 mph) and 68% on native highways (a pace restrict of 55 mph).
On native roads, drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 (35%) usually tend to pace than drivers over the age of 35 (23%). Nearly all of drivers (58%) consider that exceeding a 30-mph pace restrict will end in a cease extra steadily than exceeding a 65-mph restriction (41%).
Whereas 7% of motorbike riders by no means put on a helmet, 62% accomplish that always. In Colorado, 62% of drivers give bikes more room when they’re following them, and 73% of riders have a bike endorsement.
In crosswalks, 85% of autos at all times cease for pedestrians, whereas in non-crosswalk conditions, 45% do the identical.
A mail packet survey (in English and Spanish) was despatched to five,000 randomly chosen residential addresses, and 945 Colorado residents accomplished the survey: 391 by mail, 216 on-line invited by mail and 338 through the panel. The margin of error was ±4.1%.
Matters
Personal Auto
Colorado
All in favour of Private Auto?
Get automated alerts for this matter.
