Why Colorado Drivers Are Choosing to Ignore Street Signs on the Road

Driving is dangerous in Colorado. So many distractions make every time you get in the car feel like a scary adventure. It is easy to be distracted by the mountains, animals, or the need to keep an eye out for other drivers, and that's not even including the weather in Colorado. Often, other drivers are distracted, and that is why you should be on the defensive at all times, but sometimes drivers choose to ignore the rules of the road on purpose, including street signs. Why are so many in Colorado choosing to ignore the rules of the road and ignore signs placed to help make roads safer? 

Ignoring Street Signs in Colorado

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There are street signs for a reason, and it is highly recommended that you obey them, but many drivers in Colorado are choosing to ignore them altogether and are doing so on purpose. According to a recent survey on signs.com, 40 percent of drivers admit to ignoring street signs, despite 96 percent saying it is important to obey these rules. Sadly, 25% of those surveyed admitted to ignoring a street sign in the last month. 75% admit to speeding, which is common, 43% rolled through a stop sign, and 41% said they ran a yellow light they could have stopped at. Shockingly, 50% of those surveyed said they ignored a sign they assumed was more for liability than for being a set rule. 

Drivers Hate Street Signs in Colorado

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Are there too many signs on the road? A third of drivers seem to think so, as 34% say they've become less likely to notice signs because there are so many. This is not an excuse and will not hold up if an officer pulls you over. It has often been said that politeness can go a long way, and this is the same when it comes to signage. 71% said they are more likely to obey a sign if it is polite and friendly, compared to 67% who obey when it is authoritative and direct. The number one reason people ignore signs, though, is due to confusing wording, which is what 61% of drivers say, with 55% ignoring signs because they view it as low risk, 54% do so because they are in a hurry, and 53% see the rule as unnecessary. 

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As you drive to and from work, run errands, or travel, make sure to obey the signs. There may be a lot of them; you may not agree with the rules, but they are there for a reason. By obeying these signs, you keep yourself and everyone else safe on the roads. To see the full survey, make sure to click the link in the second paragraph above.