While motorists might consider a quick glance at their incoming texts or social media harmless, the Colorado State Patrol warns that decision could change lives.

Troopers said the act has become “normalized” and is “costing a lot of lives.” 

“The Colorado State Patrol investigates too many crashes that could be avoided entirely,” according to a recent CSP news release. “Some of the top reasons for these crashes are due to speed, lane changes, following too close, right of way and other factors that are just tied to or amplified when a driver is operating a vehicle distracted.” 

The agency investigated 3,781 distracted-driving-caused crashes in 2025, the release said, along with a range of additional crashes linked to side effects of distracted driving. 

In 2025, CSP investigated 4,607 lane violations; 2,954 cases of speeding; 2,919 instances of cars following too closely and 1,883 cases of drivers failing to yield the right of way, according to the release. 

“When you look at your phone or are distracted for even a couple of seconds, you are temporarily not taking in visual cues of what is happening in front of you,” the release said, describing how, while driving at 50 miles per hour, one second of distracted driving equates to 73.33 feet traveled “blindfolded.”

At 75 mph, that total increases to 110 feet without sight on the road, CSP said. 

“If you drive while using your phone or other device, you are making an irresponsible and dangerous decision that could be deadly,” the release said.

A “hands-free” law went into effect in Colorado Jan. 1, 2025, that made holding or manually using a phone or other mobile device for any reason while driving illegal.

People who fail to follow the law will face fines and license suspension points, CSP said.