Though Colorado drivers tend to travel fewer miles during December through February, four years of State Patrol crash data reveal that winter still accounts for over a quarter of total crashes (25.42 percent).

“Weather is on the mind of many Colorado drivers when they make plans throughout the winter months,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Knowing what conditions to expect before you head out is definitely recommended, but knowing how to adjust your driving is key to reducing your risk of a crash.”

Troopers identified the top five causes of crashes investigated by Colorado State Patrol over the past four years during the winter season:

1. Speed (23 percent)
2. Lane Violations (15.8 percent)
3. Inattentive Driving (12.4 percent)
4. Animal Caused (9.7 percent)
5. Following too Close (9.2 percent)

“Seasonally, troopers see that distracted driving actually decreases during winter compared to other times of the year, signaling that people are more likely aware of weather impacts on the road,” explained Col. Packard. “Now we need to convince more people that driving an appropriate speed for the weather conditions is in the best interest of everyone on the roads. Four-wheel drive and all-wheel drive aren’t a ‘magic’ pill to avoid a crash.”