As the school year comes to an end and summer begins, more teen drivers will be driving on the roads here in Colorado. From summer jobs and vacations to late-night outings and road trips with friends, the months between Memorial Day and back-to-school season often bring a noticeable increase in young drivers behind the wheel. While summer can be an exciting time for teens, it’s also one of the busiest and most dangerous times of year for inexperienced drivers. For parents, this season is a good reminder to revisit driving safety conversations and make sure teen drivers are prepared before heading out on the road. Summer Means More Time Behind the Wheel During the school year, many teen drivers have more structured schedules and limited driving time. Once summer starts, that often changes. Teens may begin: Driving longer distances Staying out later at night Traveling with groups of friends Driving…
What Happens If You Aren’t Wearing a Seat Belt in a Colorado Car Accident? Seat belts are one of the most effective safety features in modern vehicles. In fact, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that wearing a seat belt can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by up to 65%. In our recent article on seat belt safety in Colorado, we discussed how buckling up significantly improves survival rates in car crashes. But what happens if someone involved in an accident wasn’t wearing a seat belt? Can it affect an injury claim? The answer depends on several factors, including how the crash occurred and how the injuries happened. Colorado’s Seat Belt Laws Colorado law requires drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seat belts. Children must also be secured in appropriate car seats or booster seats based on their age and size. Although the law requires seat belt…
Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest ways to protect yourself on the road, yet every year people are seriously injured or killed in crashes because they were not buckled up. Despite ongoing safety campaigns and increased awareness, seat belt use remains a critical issue across Colorado. Understanding the role seat belts play in preventing injuries can help drivers and passengers make safer choices every time they get into a vehicle. Seat Belt Use in Colorado According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), seat belt usage across the state continues to improve. The 2023 Colorado Statewide Seat Belt Survey found that 88% of Coloradans wear their seat belts, the highest rate recorded in the past decade. Some counties are seeing even stronger compliance. Thirteen counties now have seat belt usage rates above 90%, which represents significant progress compared to 2020 when only six counties met that threshold. However, seat…