Colorado State Patrol is calling on drivers and families across the state to exercise heightened caution now that the school year is underway, with officials pointing to distracted driving and the growing use of electric devices among students as key concerns.

The patrol is reminding drivers to pay attention on the road, emphasizing that keeping cell phones and other distractions away is essential to avoiding crashes as school-related traffic increases. The return of school also means more children on foot and more school buses operating throughout neighborhoods.

Officials are also drawing attention to the added danger posed by e-bikes and scooters that some students may be using to commute to school, noting that the safe use of such devices begins at home. A CSP trooper advised parents to verify where their child's device is permitted to operate, recommending they check with local municipalities to understand what laws and restrictions are in place before allowing a child to ride to and from school.

The patrol specifically encouraged families to research whether e-bikes or other electric devices are allowed on sidewalks, as rules on where these devices may be ridden vary by city and county. When riding on the road, officials reminded both parents and children that riders must travel in the same direction as vehicle traffic, use bike lanes when available, yield to pedestrians, and obey all traffic signs and signals.

The patrol additionally reminded riders to always wear protective gear, including helmets, and to remain visible at all times. For Colorado Springs families, those rules intersect with local ordinances that may differ from neighboring jurisdictions, making it important to confirm the specific regulations that apply in El Paso County before sending students out on electric devices.

It was not immediately clear whether CSP plans to conduct enforcement operations tied to back-to-school traffic in the Colorado Springs area, and no timeline for any such activity has been announced.