Motorcycle deaths up 6% over last year; Most crashes in neighboring El Paso, Jefferson counties Information courtesy of the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Following a deadly year for motorcycle riders, the Colorado Department of Transportation is reminding drivers to always look twice for motorcyclists.
Motorcycle Safety
“With the growing number of distractions in our lives, we need everyone to be more aware of motorcycles on our roads,” said Darrell Lingk, CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety Director. To date in 2022, there have been 75 motorcycle fatalities on Colorado roadways, compared to 71 fatalities this time last year, which is a 6% increase.
“Motorcycle fatalities were 19% of the 692 total traffic fatalities last year,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Each one of these motorcycle crashes could’ve been prevented, and that’s why it’s important that
drivers take an extra moment to check their blind spots and always use caution around motorcycles.” Last year, 137 motorcyclists were killed on Colorado roads. Most motorcycle fatalities took place in El Paso and Jefferson counties.
To prevent motorcycle crashes, CDOT asks drivers to:
-Allow extra space when following a motorcycle
-Allow motorcycles the full width of a lane at all times.
-Use extra caution when turning left at an intersection – motorcycles can be hard to see from a distance.
-Check twice for motorcycles before turning, changing lanes or merging with traffic.
-Never drive distracted or impaired.
With peak riding season and the summer well underway, CDOT encourages riders to always gear up, wear a helmet, obey the speed limit, and watch out for each other on the road. Training can be obtained through the Motorcycle Operators Safety Training program at comost.com.