Drivers are being urged to stay alert and attentive while driving past road crews following a rise in the number of crashes in work zones across Colorado.
Preliminary data gathered by the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol, shows there were 14 traffic fatalities in construction zones last year, up from eight in 2019.
Twelve of the 2020 fatalities occurred in the Denver metro area, far higher than the three fatalities from the year prior.
“Two attenuator trucks were struck this month by motorists while crews were out performing maintenance activities,” said CDOT Director of Maintenance and Operations John Lorme.
“CDOT is serious about safety and we need motorists to make safety their top priority, as well. We frequently see excessive speeds, distracted driving and drunk driving while our crews are performing critical maintenance work.”
CDOT offers the following tips to drivers:
- Be patient and stay calm: Work zones are not there to personally inconvenience you. Remember – the work zone crew members are working to fix and improve the road and make your future drive better.
- Expect the unexpected: Normal speed limits may be reduced, traffic lanes may be changed, and people may be working on or near the road.
- Don’t tailgate: Keep a safe distance between your car and the car ahead of you. The most common crash in a highway work zone is a rear-end collision, so leave two car lengths between you and the car in front of you.
For more tips, visit: Safe Driving Tips — Colorado Department of Transportation (codot.gov)
