TL;DR: If you witness aggressive or dangerous driving in Colorado, you can report it safely by calling CSP (277) from your cellphone. Even a simple report helps law enforcement respond to high-risk areas and keep the roads safer for everyone—including you.
If you ever see another driver acting aggressively, you don’t have to stay silent. In Colorado, there’s a simple, safe way to report dangerous behavior—and your call could help prevent a serious crash. This guide walks you through what to watch for, when to report it, and how to stay safe in the moment.
What Aggressive Driving Looks Like in Colorado
Aggressive driving isn't a single mistake—it's a pattern of unsafe behavior that creates serious risk. In Colorado, aggressive driving is defined as "a combination of unsafe and unlawful driving actions that demonstrate a disregard for safety" or "when individuals commit a combination of moving traffic offenses so as to endanger other persons or property."
Red Flags to Watch For:
Excessive speeding in traffic or residential zones
Tailgating so close you can't see their headlights
Weaving quickly between lanes without signaling
Blocking other cars from merging or passing
Running red lights or rolling through stop signs
Making angry gestures, honking, or flashing lights aggressively
Even if you're unsure whether it's "aggressive driving" or just a rude driver, it's always okay to trust your gut and stay away. Understanding teen driving safety statistics can help you identify dangerous situations more effectively.
Even If You're Not Sure What to Do…
You still have options to stay safe and take action:
Even if you didn't get the full license plate, a partial number and vehicle description help.
Even if you feel nervous, remember that your report can prevent someone else from getting hurt.
Even if you're not sure it's worth reporting, law enforcement uses patterns of behavior to decide where to focus patrols.
Why Your Report Matters
You might wonder if calling really changes anything. It does. In 2023, Colorado State Patrol emergency dispatchers answered 55,107 total *CSP calls, with 54% (29,921) related to road rage or aggressive driving. Your report could:
Help law enforcement stop a dangerous driver before an accident occurs
Identify traffic trouble spots where patrols need to increase
Serve as one more data point that supports bigger road safety efforts in Colorado
Since the program was started, the CSP has received more than 230,000 reports of aggressive drivers. Your voice matters.
How to Report a Dangerous Driver in Colorado
Colorado has a system built just for this. The Colorado State Patrol's Star CSP (*277) aggressive driver program was implemented on July 1, 1998. It's quick and easy to use.
To Make a Report:
**Dial CSP (277) from your cell phone
Speak with a trained dispatcher
Share what you saw and where it happened
Be prepared to provide the following information: vehicle description, license plate number, location and direction of travel, driver description, and the aggressive driving behavior being demonstrated.
Be Ready to Describe:
The make, model, and color of the vehicle
The license plate (even partial is helpful)
The exact location and direction of travel
The specific behaviors you witnessed (e.g., speeding, weaving, tailgating)
You don't need to be perfect. Just speak clearly and share what you saw. Your safety comes first, so only report after you've pulled over somewhere safe.
When to Use 911 Instead
Some situations are too urgent for *CSP. Call 911 immediately if:
There's a crash or someone is hurt
The driver is threatening you or following you
You believe the driver is impaired and might cause a crash
Local Reporting Options
If you see a pattern of dangerous driving near your home (like daily speeding in your neighborhood), contact your local police department. Many have non-emergency lines or online complaint forms.
Staying Safe in the Moment
The goal is always to protect yourself. Here's how:
Let the aggressive driver pass and create distance
Avoid eye contact or reacting with gestures or honks
Never follow or confront the driver
If you feel unsafe, drive to a well-lit public place or police station
According to the Colorado State Patrol, when someone cuts you off, the worst thing you can do is create a new hazard by reacting out of anger or frustration. Don't escalate the situation. It's very possible that the initial incident was never about you, and you can regain control by putting space between you and that driver.
"If someone cuts you off, the worst thing you can do is create a new hazard by reacting out of anger or frustration," stated Chief Packard. "Don't escalate the situation. It's very possible that the initial incident was never about you and you can regain control of the situation by putting space between you and that driver."
Practice Smart Driving Habits
You don't have to wait until there's a problem to feel confident. Start building safety skills now:
Scan your surroundings often—not just the car in front of you
Practice reacting to scenarios like tailgating or being cut off
Talk with your parents or driving instructor about "what if" situations
Building these skills is part of developing essential teen driving skills. The more prepared you are, the safer you'll be on the road.
You're Allowed to Speak Up
Reporting aggressive driving doesn't make you dramatic—it makes you responsible. You're part of a bigger community of drivers, and your actions can protect someone else's parent, sibling, or friend.
"When a fellow motorist cuts you off, tailgates or makes a rude gesture, you may be tempted to respond in kind, but don't. Anger can quickly turn to violence," stated Chief Matthew C. Packard, Colorado State Patrol. "Your best response is to keep your cool, let the aggressive driver move on and do not engage. It's simply not worth your energy or the risk."
You don't have to be perfect. You just have to be aware, act with care, and trust that your instincts matter. Colorado's roads are safer when every driver does their part—and that includes you. You've got this.
