Approximately one-fourth of vehicle crashes in Colorado in 2013 were attributed to distracted driving, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT).

CDOT has started a summer "Drop the Distraction" campaign with a safety fair and "Distraction Games" scheduled for June 6 in Golden, and the Colorado State Patrol had an enhanced districted driving enforcement effort this week.

CDOT will bring the Distraction Games to community events and teen hangout sites around the state in July and August. This is a series of activities that correlate with eye-opening statistics on distracted driving. The focus is on teen drivers and those who will be getting their learner's permits.

"Distracted driving is a pervasive problem with young drivers, so we hope these games serve as a wake-up call to the dangers of such behavior," said CDOT Communications Manager Sam Cole. "By reaching teens in a fun and engaging way, we hope to instill good driving habits for life. The Distraction Games are an important reminder that cell phones and driving never mix."

State Patrol Chief Col. Scott Hernandez added, "Between 2008 and 2013, there was a nine percent increase in the number of crashes caused by distracted driving in Colorado. Furthermore, teenage drivers are more likely than any other age group to be involved in fatal distracted driving crashes. We hope to curb that alarming trend by continuing to focus our enforcement efforts on distracted driving as well as impaired driving."

More information is at cdot.gov/programs/distracteddriving.