Colorado reports most roadway deaths since 1981

TRAFFIC deaths statewide hit the highest level since 1981, but in the San Luis Valley the number was reduced slightly, according to preliminary data released this week by the Colorado Department of Transportation.

The Valley saw 17 traffic-related deaths in 2022, just down from 18 in 2021. Here’s the county-by-county breakdown: Conejos County had 5; Mineral County 4; Saguache County 3; Alamosa County 2; Costilla County had 2; Rio Grande County 1.

As a state Colorado saw 745 people killed in traffic-related accidents, up 57 percent over a decade, according to CDOT.

The data also includes a record number of pedestrian and motorcyclist traffic fatalities.  

On Monday, CDOT, Colorado State Patrol, and the Colorado Department of Revenue convened to discuss the state of roadway safety in Colorado and urged Coloradans to reduce risky driving behaviors such as speeding, aggressive driving, driving under the influence, and distracted driving. 

“I wish we could correlate the increase in fatalities to Colorado’s population growth. But that’s not the case,” said Keith Stefanik, chief engineer for CDOT. “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.”

In the coming year, CDOT and its partners will implement the Advancing Transportation Safety Program (ATSP) to address the increase in traffic deaths. The program has four key areas of focus:

• Safe Drivers – Addresses the dangerous driving behaviors that lead to crashes
• Safe People – Addresses vulnerable roadway users, including motorcyclists and pedestrians
• Safe Roads – Addresses road design improvements, such as roundabouts, cable rail and enhanced striping
• Post-Crash Care – Addresses a fast and effective emergency response.

Key to the plan’s success is the collaborative effort that will take place, including partnerships with state agencies, local law enforcement, community groups and municipalities to address the issue. The ATSP is a product of the Strategic Transportation Safety Plan, which includes emphasis areas, performance targets and key strategies.

Of the people killed in 2022, 36 percent were outside a vehicle. They were pedestrians, motorcyclists and bicyclists, who are at greater risk of severe injury or death when struck by motorists. The number of motorcycle and pedestrian fatalities is the most on record since 1975.

Engineering upgrades can be especially helpful for improving pedestrian and bicycle safety. Revitalizing Main Streets is one of CDOT’s programs bolstering pedestrian and bicycle access and safety in the state, so far awarding 201 grants and $63 million to communities and local governmental agencies for projects that promote physical activity and enhance economic vitality.

Mass transit remains the safest mode of ground transportation. This is one of the reasons CDOT, with federal stimulus funding, is expanding its interregional and intercity Bustang bus service. This funding will also provide CDOT resources to evaluate front range passenger rail.

In the coming year Colorado State Patrol will do everything possible to maximize its presence on Colorado roadways.

“What we’re seeing across Colorado are the consequences when too many drivers ignore the rules of the road, and it’s unacceptable,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “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.”

Impaired driving deaths increased to 278 last year, up 6 percent from 2021. Since 2019, those deaths involving an impaired driver have risen by almost 60 percent. Although alcohol was the most common cause of impairment, drivers who tested above the legal limit for active THC increased from 50 drivers in 2020 to 79 in 2021. 

Combinations of drugs are also a problem — 25 percent of the impaired drivers in fatal crashes had more than one substance in their blood, with alcohol and cannabis being the most common co-occurring substances. The counties with the highest number of fatalities involving an impaired driver were Adams (35), El Paso (21) and Denver (21) counties.

Seat belt use in Colorado remains at 87 percent and still lags behind the national average of 90 percent. The majority of passenger vehicle occupants killed in crashes were unbuckled.

“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, senior director for the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles. “That education doesn’t end when you get your license. Driving poses a risk to others – it requires a lifelong commitment to do so safely.”

Rural areas of the state typically have a disproportionately higher rate of crash fatalities. CDOT is committing a significant investment in fixing Colorado’s rural roads, with 34 projects completed or under construction across 55 counties. Rural areas are also challenged by the lack of nearby trauma centers.

“CDOT is committed to improving post-crash care and reducing response times for emergency services. The survivability of a crash is directly tied to a fast and effective emergency response, which makes our roads safer for everyone,” said Patrick Chavez, Traffic Incident Management program coordinator for CDOT. “We also want to reduce the impact on the flow of traffic and the likelihood of secondary crashes. We’re continually evaluating and improving how we respond to traffic incidents to keep other drivers and incident responders safe.”

The counties with the most road fatalities in 2022:

• El Paso = 83
• Adams = 82
• Denver = 67
• Arapahoe = 56
• Weld = 53
• Jefferson = 46
• Pueblo = 40

In 2023, CDOT will award more than $10 million in funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to local partners engaged in awareness efforts and law enforcement campaigns in their communities. These efforts will address dangerous driving behaviors causing such havoc on Colorado roads.