The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Colorado State Patrol have joined forces to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries statewide by 22.5% by 2027. Officials at CDOT said they plan to deploy several strategies to help achieve the goal.
CDOT will launch the Speed Safety Camera Program to improve traffic safety in construction zones. Safety cameras will be installed to increase safety for law enforcement officers and CDOT crews, help reduce congestion and more.
CDOT also plans to improve motorcycle safety by encouraging helmet use, support enforcement programs aimed at impaired drivers and establish speed limits that ensure the safety of all road users.
Officials said that preliminary data indicates traffic fatalities decreased by 5% on state roadways in 2024 compared to 2023. While that recent data is promising, the agency said motorcyclist and construction zone deaths increased last year.
In 2024, 162 motorcyclists lost their lives, marking a 23% increase over the previous year and accounting for 24% of all traffic deaths. Deaths in construction zones resulted in 31 lives lost, up from 16 the year before. Additionally, a third of overall traffic fatalities statewide involved an impaired driver, while 183 fatalities were unbuckled.
“While it’s promising to see a reduction in fatalities on our roadways these last two years, we continue to see careless and reckless driving behaviors on our roadways,” said Colonel Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, in a statement.
Source: CDOT, AASHTO
