<\/p>\n
Distracted driving is the leading cause of fatal car crashes in Southwest Colorado, said State Patrol Capt. Adrian Driscoll.<\/p>\n
So far this year, three out of five fatal car crashes in Southwest Colorado were attributed to distracted driving.<\/p>\n
That includes a rollover crash in January on East Animas Road (County Road 250) that killed a woman after her vehicle rolled 2\u00bd times before landing partially submerged in an irrigation ditch, and a four-vehicle crash also in January on U.S. Highway 550 that killed a 9-year-old boy.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost often what we see is speeding, distracted driving and lane violations,\u201d Driscoll said.<\/p>\n
Distracted driving causes an average of 40 crashes per day across Colorado, according to a news release from State Patrol.<\/p>\n
Driscoll said distracted driving involves more than texting and making phone calls.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are not seeing a lot of electronic use,\u201d he said. \u201cThe message is out that using a cellphone while driving is dangerous. We see people getting ready for work in the morning. It\u2019s kind of old school, like dropping stuff on the floor and taking your eyes off the road.\u201d<\/p>\n
Distracted driving is a ticketable offense that includes adding four points to a person\u2019s drivers license.<\/p>\n
The state increased the penalties for texting while driving carelessly from $50 to $300 in 2017. However, the provision also made texting while driving legal in Colorado as long as it isn\u2019t done in \u201ca careless or imprudent manner.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt increased the burden of proof on law enforcement,\u201d Driscoll said. \u201cIf someone is texting while driving and not breaking any laws, there\u2019s nothing we can do about it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Previously, text messaging by a driver was strictly prohibited in Colorado.<\/p>\n
State Patrol and partner law enforcement agencies across Colorado are taking a \u201czero-tolerance position\u201d on distracted driving, according to the release.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you\u2019re texting and swerving all over the road and it\u2019s causing you to lose your focus on your drive, then you will get a charge of careless driving,\u201d Driscoll said.<\/p>\n