The new campaign focuses on promoting road safety and saving lives on Colorado roads.
Law enforcement officials in Colorado recently launched an educational campaign – along with increased enforcement – aimed at reducing the number of fatal car accidents, which hit a 41-year high last year in Colorado.
"People are dying on Colorado roads at a rate we have not seen in decades," Col. Matthew Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in an interview with Colorado Politics. "We all have to come together to make sure we are doing everything we can to save lives on our roadways."
So, just how bad are car accident fatalities in Colorado? Why are so many fatal car accidents occurring? And what are Colorado law enforcement officials doing to reduce the number of deadly car crashes?
Colorado car accident fatalities soar to 41-year high
For the third year in a row, the number of car accident deaths in Colorado increased and reached a 41-year high in 2022, according to the Colorado Politics article based on interviews with the Colorado State Patrol.
Last year, 754 people died in car accidents in Colorado, an increase of 12 percent compared to 2021, when 672 people died in motor vehicle accidents in the state. The previous high for car accident deaths in Colorado was set in 1981.
Col. Packard noted that Colorado State Patrol officers responded to 745 car accidents during this year's four-day July 4th weekend, in which seven people died in car crashes statewide. "It is just appalling to think about how regular this loss of life has become," Packard said.
Negligence is a factor in many car accidents
The Colorado State Patrol cited several reasons why car accident fatalities were so high in 2022, including:
- Speeding or driving too fast during hazardous weather.
- Distracted driving, including texting while driving.
- Reckless driving, including changing lanes without warning.
- Impaired driving, including drunk driving and driving under the influence of drugs, especially THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana.
"There is simply no excuse to get behind the wheel of a car when you've been drinking or when you've been using some other substance that impairs your judgment," Packard said.
Preventing fatal crashes in Colorado
State troopers from the Colorado State Patrol and other law enforcement officials in Colorado hope to reduce the number of serious and fatal car accidents by taking the following steps:
- Increased enforcement of drunk driving laws.
- Pulling over more drivers who drive too fast.
- Taking a hard line on reckless driving.
- Sharing dash cam video footage taken by police of reckless or aggressive drivers to spread awareness about the problem.
"We will be strict enforcers of the law," Packard said. "If you get stopped by a trooper, you can expect to be held accountable."
The Longo Firm fights for accident victims in Colorado Springs
If a state trooper or police officer in Colorado responds to your accident and investigates your collision, you might think you don't need a lawyer to help with your insurance claim, especially if the other driver was clearly at fault. Unfortunately, too many accident claims turn into complicated legal battles. That's why it's critical that you have an experienced attorney on your side to handle the insurance company and advocate for the compensation you're entitled to under Colorado law.
At The Longo Firm, our dedicated legal team can work with you to ensure your claim gets the respect it deserves. We know how to investigate serious accidents and have extensive experience dealing with insurance companies. To see how an experienced Colorado Springs car accident lawyer can help you, contact us today for a free and confidential case evaluation.