Drivers in Colorado are being urged “to look twice and save a life” as part of a new campaign to reduce the number of fatal motorcycle crashes.
The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has launched the campaign with automotive company Grease Monkey, after latest figures revealed motorcyclist fatalities are up 12 percent over last year.
“Since January Colorado has seen a startling increase in motorcyclist fatalities and the state is expected to exceed the number of fatalities from last year,” said Darrell Lingk, CDOT Director of the Office of Transportation Safety.
“With the fall riding season approaching and many riders currently enjoying the warm weather, we are urging drivers to use caution and be aware of motorcyclists. Drivers, please remember to look twice and save a life.”
Motorists are urged to:
- Check blind spots before making any lane changes
- Look twice – When making lane changes, turns, merging and other traffic changes
- Use extra caution when turning left
- Never follow motorcyclists too closely
- Eliminate distractions while driving
- Be mindful and aware of driving situations, changes on the roadways and other unexpected incidents increases the safety for drivers and motorcyclists
As a reminder to watch for motorcycles, Grease Monkey will be placing safety stickers on vehicles receiving oil and a new CDOT fleet car will be driving throughout the Denver metro area wrapped with a safety message.
To date there have been 100 motorcycle fatalities in 2020, up from 89 at the same time last year. In 2019 there was a total of 103 motorcycle fatalities.
Motorcyclists make up 23 percent of all deaths on Colorado roadways yet represent just three percent of vehicles on the road.
