Mastering Texas Roads: Safe Driving with Changing Elevations

Driving in Colorado opens a new chapter for your teen—you've trusted them with the wheel, their excitement is real, and the scenic mountain drives feel empowering. But even a brief glance away from the road can have serious consequences. Distracted driving poses a major risk for Colorado teens—so this guide arms you with the facts, laws, and practical strategies to help your teen stay safe and confident on the road.

The Alarming Numbers: Teen Distracted Driving in Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of TransportationDistracteddriving Safety, in 2020, 10,166 crashes involved a Colorado distracted driver, resulting in 1,476 injuries and 68 deaths. While the article mentions 16,000 crashes annually, CDOT data shows over 15,000 crashes in recent years, with distracted drivers involved in 15,143 crashes in 20192020 October 2020 2019 Distracted Driving News, resulting in 4,361 injuries and 28 fatalities. Research confirms teens are disproportionately involved in these crashes, with the AAA Foundation for Traffic SafetyUsing Naturalistic Driving Data Examine Teen Driver Behaviors Present Motor Vehicle Crashes 2007 2015 Aaafoundation.org finding that distraction was a factor in nearly 6 out of 10 moderate-to-severe teen crashes.

According to NHTSA's official distracted driving statisticsDistracted Driving Risky Driving, 3,275 people were killed by distracted driving in 2023, with more than 1 in 5 drivers still admitting to texting while driving. The teen driving safety statisticsTrending Infographic Trends In Teen Driver Safety Driversed.com reveal that 39% of teens have texted or emailed while behind the wheel, making this a critical safety issue for Colorado families.

Even If You Think Your Teen Is Careful…

• Even if your teen doesn't text while driving, taking eyes off the road for just two seconds doubles their crash risk

• Even if they drive safely around the house, distractions on unfamiliar roads—such as I-70 through the mountains—can be more dangerous

• Even if they've never had a close call, distraction can catch anyone off guard—especially new drivers

Research shows that teens' driving habits come from parentsTrending Teens Driving Habits Come From The Parents Driversed.com, with young drivers copying up to 90% of their parents' behavior. This means your own driving habits directly influence how your teen handles distractions behind the wheel.

What Counts as Distracted Driving?

• Visual: looking at your phone, GPS, or passengers

• Manual: taking your hands off the wheel to text, eat, or adjust music

• Cognitive: daydreaming, deep conversations, or stress

Common culprits include texting, peer chatter, managing pedals or playlist selections—distractions your teen may not even realize they're dealing with. Understanding the ongoing dangers of distracted drivingTrending Dangers Distracted Driving And How Avoid Them Driversed.com can help parents recognize that these behaviors extend far beyond just phone use.

Colorado Laws You Need to Know

• Zero-tolerance phone use: Under-18 drivers cannot use phones for any purpose—including calls or GPS—while driving

• Penalties: Violations result in fines, license suspension, and points on their record

• GDL restrictions: No non-family passengers under 21 for the first six months; curfew applies from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.

These laws reinforce the importance of focus—especially during your teen's most vulnerable first months of driving.

Proactive Habits You Can Establish

• Start the conversation: Launch a calm "we" discussion using real statistics and shared goals around safe driving

• Formalize expectations: Use a Parent–Teen Driving Agreement to set rules and consequences together

• Lead by example: Model distraction-free driving—turn your phone off or on "Do Not Disturb" before you start the car

• Use smart technology: Encourage apps that silence notifications and activate built-in driving modes

The parent-teen driving contractTrending Parent Teen Driving Contract Driversed.com provides a structured way to establish clear expectations and accountability. Research shows that teens whose parents impose driving restrictions engage in less risky driving and are involved in fewer crashes.

For parents looking for practical strategies, our guide on teen phone resistance toolsTrending Parents Teens Resist Phone While Driving Driversed.com offers specific techniques to address this behavior, including technology solutions and communication strategies.

Why Professional Drivers Ed Makes a Difference

Colorado-approved courses at DriversEd.comDriversEd.comDriversEd.com go beyond the basics. We teach defensive driving, hazard awareness, and focused mindset skills—especially around distracted driving. Our curriculum equips teens to manage real-world scenarios with confidence and care.

Understanding teen driving readiness factorsTrending Is My Teenager Ready To Drive Driversed.com can help parents assess whether their teen has the emotional maturity needed to resist distractions. Teens who are emotionally mature enough to understand the risks involved in distracted driving are better at putting the phone away.

For parents considering their involvement in their teen's driving education, our 5 essential parent tipsTrending 5 Tips Parents Teen Drivers Driversed.com provide proven strategies for guiding teens toward becoming safe, responsible drivers while managing the stress of the learning process.

FAQs

What is the number one cause of fatal teen car crashes? Distracted driving frequently ranks alongside speeding and inexperience as the top cause. National Teen Driver Safety WeekTrending National Teen Driver Safety Week Safe Driving Tips Driversed.com data shows that in 2017, young people aged 15 to 19 accounted for 52% of all fatalities in teen distraction-affected crashes.

Can my teen use a phone for GPS while driving? No—drivers under 18 may not use any electronic device behind the wheel in Colorado.

How do I enforce the Parent–Teen Driving Agreement? Stay consistent with agreed-upon consequences and remind your teen that privileges depend on responsibility. Our parent-taught driver education guidanceTrending Navigating The Waters Of Parent Taught Drivers Education In Texas Driversed.com offers specific strategies for maintaining consistency during the learning process.

Your Partner for the Road Ahead

Knowing the risks is just the first step. As a parent, you play a powerful role in shaping your teen's driving habits. Research from the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and State Farm found that when parents actively engage and supervise their teen's driving, teens are 50% less likely to have an accident and 30% less likely to engage in distracted driving.

With education, communication, and support from DriversEd.comDriversEd.comDriversEd.com, you're building a foundation for safe, confident driving—for now, and for life. Understanding parent-taught vs instructor-taught approachesTrending Should Parents Be Teaching Their Teens How To Drive Driversed.com can help you decide the best method for your family's unique situation.

Explore our Colorado-approved drivers ed course today and take the next step toward safe, focused driving.