State Patrol Has Extra Troopers Out Looking For Distracted Drivers
DENVER (CBS4) - Colorado state troopers are out in full force looking for distracted drivers.
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 69 people were killed in distracted driving crashes in Colorado in 2015.
Extra troopers are out on the roads in a weekend campaign to catch drivers who are not paying attention.
Violations could include careless or reckless driving relating to distracted drivers weaving in and out of lanes while texting, eating, or even putting on makeup.
Fines could cost hundreds of dollars.
"People are always looking down at their phones (and then back) up at the road," said Addison Friesen, a driver in Denver who often sees other drivers texting behind the wheel. "The light turns green. They sit there for 15 seconds before getting moving. It's pretty frustrating, on top of being dangerous."
Distracted driving, however, is not only dangerous; it's also a crime.
The Colorado State Patrol has joined forces with CDOT to catch drivers who aren't paying attention behind the wheel. The crackdown was off to a sad start with a deadly wreck Friday on Interstate 25 near Larkspur. Investigators said that distracted driving may have been the cause.
"Your job out here is to drive," said Cpl. Heath Griscavage of the Colorado State Patrol. "You're not here to play with your hair, do whatever, talk on your cellphone -- and definitely not text. So I mean, if you are doing that, and not paying attention, then we will pull you over."
Griscavage said troopers would be enforcing distracted driving not only during the three-day campaign, but also all year round.
He said that law enforcement counts on the help of fellow citizens.
"We can't be everywhere … that's why we depend on everybody else to police themselves," Griscavage said. "Just drive like you're supposed to. Then we won't have to have a chat with you (and) write you a ticket. And then you're going to be mad. But at least you're not going to be dead, or someone else dead."
Anyone who sees a distracted driver is urged to report it right away. Drivers should use their hands-free devices to call the State Patrol.
