The Colorado Department of (CDOT) is urging both motorcyclists and drivers of motor vehicles to put safety first this fall.
According to CDOT, last year, 165 motorcyclists were killed on Colorado roads, the state’s highest number ever.
Figures show motorcycle fatalities accounted for nearly one-quarter of all traffic deaths in Colorado last year despite being just three per cent of vehicles on the road. Motorcycles were also involved in 774 serious bodily injury crashes last year.
“Many riders do the right thing — they ride sober, avoid distractions and follow traffic laws,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “But there are those who fail to protect themselves and others when out on the road. Aggressive riding and the decision to forego safety gear increase the risk of a serious injury or death in a crash. By changing two habits —wearing a helmet and adhering to the speed limit —we can prevent dozens of needless tragedies. Don’t risk your future. Your safety matters.”
This fall, CDOT is working closely with traffic safety advocates throughout the state, sharing a communications toolkit with its partners and utilizing variable message signs (VMS) to raise awareness, reduce motorcycle crashes and build a culture of shared responsibility on the road.
CDOT has offered the following safety tips to motorcyclists and drivers:
- Drivers of vehicles should always leave extra space when behind a motorcycle on the roadway.
- Motorcyclists should always ride sober and obey the speed limit.
- Drivers of vehicles should avoid distractions such as cellphones or anything else that takes their eyes off the road.
- Drivers of vehicles should always look twice at intersections – motorcycles can be hard to see.
- Motorcyclists should wear high-visibility personal protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets.
