Why July is the Busiest Time All Summer for Colorado Police
Late July is one of the busiest times all year for Colorado's police officers and the Highway Patrol. From Grand Junction to Denver, Coloradans are about to see an uptick in the flashing red and blue lights along the sides of our roads and highways.
Read More: 10 Common Colorado Traffic Violations You May Have Forgotten
What makes late July such a busy time of year for Colorado's police? It's the time of year when the Colorado Department of Transportation, the Colorado State Patrol, and 61 different law enforcement agencies crack down on the state's seat belt law.
Colorado's Deadliest Month
According to CDOT, July of 2023 was the deadliest month of the year for fatal crashes in Colorado. 91 people died on Colorado's roads that month, 30 of them were not wearing seatbelts.
Read More: The Most Dangerous Colorado Counties to Drive
What Is Click It Or Ticket in Colorado?
Colorado hosts multiple 'Click It Or Ticket' enforcement periods each year during which the Colorado State Patrol increases our awareness and the enforcement of our state's seat belt laws. The program stresses the importance of wearing a seat belt while driving or riding in a car and the legal penalties for those who fail to do so.
Three Things Every Coloradan Should Know About the Seat Belt Law
The three things every Coloradan should know about the state's seat belt law is what it says about the seat belt requirements for Adults, Teens, and Children. These are the specifics according to CDOT.
- 1) Adult drivers and front-seat passengers in Colorado can be ticketed for seat belt violations if they are stopped for another traffic violation.
- 2) Drivers in Colorado who are under the age of 18 are required to wear a seat belt at all times. So are all passengers in the vehicle with them regardless of age. Unlike adults, teens in Colorado can be pulled over for not wearing a seatbelt or having a passenger not wearing one.
- 3) If an officer sees a child in a car who is not restrained or is improperly restrained, the driver can be pulled over and issued a ticket for violating the Colorado seat belt law.
MORE: The Safest Colorado Counties to Drive Based on Fatal Accidents
LOOK: What Traffic Violations Do You See the Most in Grand Junction, Colorado?
Gallery Credit: Wes Adams
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Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams