As Distracted Driving Awareness month begins Thursday, distracted driving has become one of the leading causes of crashes in Colorado, the Department of Transportation (CDOT) said.

In 2019, distracted driving contributed to 15,143 crashes in Colorado, according to CDOT. Those crashes resulted in 4,361 injuries and 28 deaths.

“Distracted driving continues to be a prevalent issue on Colorado roads, but is easy to fix,” said Darrell Lingk, CDOT director of the Office of Transportation Safety. “Every time you are tempted to reach for your phone or take your eyes off the road, stop and think about the lives at risk and make a safer decision.”

CDOT’S 2020 survey found that 92% of Colorado drivers reported driving distracted in the last seven days.

The most common distractions included eating, drinking, reading/sending a message on a cell phone, selecting entertainment on a device or talking on a hands-free cell phone.

“With fall in full swing and winter sports and holidays on the horizon, we encourage people to stay focused on the road and put distractions aside,” Lingk said.

This month, CDOT is partnering with the National Safety Council (NSC) to raise awareness of the distracted driving issue.

CDOT suggests the following safety tips for Colorado drivers to avoid distracted driving:

• Turn your phone on “Do Not Disturb” before you drive
• Ask passengers to respond to your calls or messages while you drive
• Plan stops during your drive to stop to eat, drink and check your cell phone
• Select entertainment settings and GPS options before you drive
• Use your drive time to enjoy Colorado’s natural beauty

The annual Distracted Driving Awareness Month is led by NSC. It usually takes place in April but, because of COVID-19, was rescheduled this year to October.