WORKING TO SAVE LIVES
CDOT implementing new safety program to reduce risky driving behaviors
In 2022, Colorado lost 745 lives on its roadways, the most traffic deaths in the state since 1981, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation.
In response to this significant increase, CDOT is implementing the Advancing Transportation Safety Program to reduce risky driving behaviors, such as speeding, aggressive driving, driving under the influence and distracted driving, which are the causes of most fatal crashes.
The program will focus on four primary areas, Keith Stefanik, deputy chief engineer for CDOT, said. Those key areas are safe drivers, which will address the dangerous driving behaviors that lead to crashes; safe people, addressing vulnerable roadway users including motorcyclists and pedestrians; safe roads, addressing road design improvements; and post-crash care, addressing a fast and effective emergency response.
Specifically, in the Front Range region on U.S. 287, there have been 84 fatalities in the past five years, mostly caused by alcohol and speeding, said Traffic Safety Communications Manager Sam Cole.
“I wish we could correlate the increase in fatalities to Colorado’s population growth, but that’s not the case,” Stefanik said. “After falling for 30 years, the rate of crashes has steadily risen during the last decade. Furthermore, for every fatality, there are five serious injuries caused by crashes on Colorado roads. These injuries can leave a devastating lifelong toll on individuals and their families.”
CDOT reports that the program will be a collaborative effort between state and local agencies, community groups and municipalities to address the main issues at hand.
The representatives from CDOT and the Colorado State Patrol shared numbers and statistics that helped build the program’s key areas of focus, in
cluding that 36% of the people killed in 2022 were outside of vehicles, as pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists. Those groups are considered more vulnerable and at a greater risk of severe injury and death when struck by a motorist. Last year’s number of motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities was the most on record since 1975.
Impaired driving is also a huge factor in driving deaths. CDOT said that impaired driving deaths increased to 278 last year, up 6% from 2021, but have increased almost 60% since 2019. Alcohol is the most common cause of impairment, but Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, reported that they’d seen a 51% increase in crashes involving cannabis in recent years.
Because of these, and many others like seat belt use, Packard said that the CSP will do everything to maximize their presence on Colorado roadways in the coming year.
“What we’re seeing across Colorado are the consequences when too many drivers ignore the rules of the road, and it’s unacceptable,” Packard said. “Troopers along with our local law enforcement partners will continue to remove drivers putting lives and communities at risk. However, law enforcement alone can’t solve the problem of rising fatalities on our roadways. Every driver makes a series of choices when they get behind the wheel that protects life or loses sight of our humanity.
Drive sober, wear seat belts, obey speed limits, and be mindful of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcyclists — treat your fellow road users with common courtesy and collectively we will improve safety across our communities.”
The program will also focus on engineering upgrades, investing in fixing Colorado’s rural roads, funding for mass transit, which CDOT said “remains the safest mode of ground transportation,” and driver education.
“Driver education and compliance with laws and regulations are key to maintaining safe roadways. Keeping our roads safe is a shared responsibility,” said Electra Bustle, Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles Senior Director. “That education doesn’t end when you get your license. Driving poses a risk to others — it requires a lifelong commitment to doing so safely.”
For more information on the ATSP, visit codot. gov/safety/assets/advancing-transportation-safetyprogram.pdf.