Road Trip Buzzkills: Five Ways Passengers Can Help Prevent Distracted Driving

Description: Colorado State Patrol says passenger distractions caused 79 crashes last year and shares five ways riders can help drivers stay focused, alert and safe...

Ultimate Road Trip Buzzkills

Passenger-related distractions

(COLO) – When your driver is distracted, passengers can and should speak up to help redirect the focus back to the road. But another way passengers do their part on road trips or daily commutes is to set a good example. Last year, Colorado State Troopers investigated 79 crashes that were caused by a driver's inattentiveness to another occupant in the vehicle. Nothing derails a vacation or a day out with friends like a crash.

"Passengers can be a significant source of distraction for drivers. This is why Colorado's Graduated Driver's License restricts passengers for the first six months for new license holders," stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. "But I would argue that passengers can distract drivers under the right circumstances regardless of their age or experience level. Laying ground rules for your passengers will be in the best interest of all of you."

It may not be something we often think about, but intense discussions, horseplay, and reaching for items by demanding passengers can be hazardous if it pulls the driver's attention. Keeping the vehicle's environment calm can help the driver hear traffic cues and avoid taking their eyes off the road ahead.

"As we mature, passengers can serve just as much as a protector as they can as a distractor," explains Col. Packard. "Having a 'co-pilot' on long or routine trips can help the driver combat drowsiness and contribute to safer journeys overall."

Top Five Ways to Be a Positive Passenger

1. Be a "Co-Pilot" – offer to help the driver throughout the trip by setting navigation, adjusting the temperature, and controlling the playlist.
2. Set a Good Example – start by wearing your seatbelt, minimize distractions by keeping conversations at a normal volume with light topics, and reduce chaotic energy inside the vehicle with other passengers.
3. Use Etiquette and Respect – refrain from giving constant, critical instructions, keep your feet off the dashboard, and try not to sleep in the front seat next to the driver.
4. Speak Up Early – if you see a hazard, speak calmly about it. If you need a bathroom break or have navigation instructions, let the driver know well in advance.
5. Stay Out of the Driver's Way – be aware if you are blocking the driver's view of the road or safety mirrors.

The Colorado State Patrol is focused on curbing dangerous, avoidable driving behaviors during Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer by sharing data and tips to encourage all Colorado drivers to focus on one task: driving. Colorado's Hands Free law went into effect on January 1, 2025. Seconds Matter, drop the distractions.

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