Drivers who fail to yield or observe laws relating to rights-of-way is a problem on the roads. Much of the reason why these violations occur is that drivers do not recall rules related to yielding. The traffic laws generally do not define who has the right-of-way, rather they explain who must yield based on a variety of possible circumstances. Data across all U.S. states show that failure to yield the right of way are a cause of accidents. The Colorado State Patrol
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Colorado has problems with traffic fatalities, with 545 in 2015, which represented a 10% rise over 488 in 2014. 2015 was also the all-time high for motorcycle fatalities within Colorado, with a total of 104. With 3.8 million estimated drivers in Colorado, the chances of a fatality are roughly 1 in 7,000. A recent study showed that lane violations are the cause in 8.4% of overall accidents, and yearly over 400 injuries or deaths typically occur. Colorado State Patrol (CSP) Trooper Paul
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Approximately one in every three traffic fatalities in the U.S. results from a driver who is under the influence. Recent figures indicate that over 10,000 fatalities and over 200,000 injuries occur annually from drunk driving. Throughout the U.S. we have seen considerable reforms, legislation, and enforcement efforts related to drunk driving over the past 30 years. All U.S. states have a uniform established threshold for determining when a vehicle operator is over the limit for alcohol at a blood-alcohol level
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The next causal factor addressed in this series is speed, which is a key risk factor in roadway accident injuries because it impacts the likelihood of a crash and generally increases the magnitude of the injuries resulting from crashes. Speed limits are established to maintain roadway safety; however, based on volatile conditions at a given time, there may be a need to recognize that a reduced speed is more suitable. Colorado statute explains that drivers must travel at a speed that
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Distracted driving occurs when vehicle operators are texting, tending to children, eating, or reading while driving. Reports suggest that although drivers are aware of the problem, they continue to allow distractions to jeopardize themselves and others on the road. Proving that a driver was distracted is more difficult than, for example, driving under the influence of alcohol, which can be determined with a breath test. In response to this problem, Colorado Governor Hickenlooper recently finalized legislation that increases the penalty
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Several common causes of roadway crashes, such as, inattentiveness, excessive speed, driving under the influence, lane violations, and failing to yield, cause approximately 70% of accident injuries or fatalities. The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is the lone statewide agency responsible for enforcement of traffic laws. The CSP responds to about 30% of all car accidents in Colorado and investigates approximately 70% of those with a fatality. Properly identifying causal factors for crashes is critical in overall efforts to reduce injuries,
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This is the third and final segment of the series Impaired Driving Marijuana, which will discuss public awareness regarding the potential dangers of driving under the influence of marijuana. During the period when the marijuana industry was seeking legalization in Colorado, cannabis was often promoted as a safer option than alcohol. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) conducted a survey that indicated 72% of Colorado marijuana users felt it was safer to drive after using marijuana compared to alcohol. Roughly 50% of respondents
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Based on federal and state data beginning in 2013, drivers in fatal crashes are increasingly testing positive for marijuana. A recent Denver Post report analyzed information from coroners to determine the impact that marijuana legalization has had on roadway safety. Of the fatally injured drivers tested in 2016, roughly 10 had a concentration level at least five times the legal limit. The majority of surviving drivers that tested positive had levels indicating recent usage. Retail marijuana sales to adults started in 2014
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Colorado legalized marijuana and those over 21 years of age may purchase it from retailers. In this segment, we discuss how the testing is handled to determine driver impairment. As with alcohol, Colorado has a measurable level (limit) in place, which is five nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)—per milliliter of whole blood. In 2016, approximately 30% of traffic fatalities involved an impaired driver, which translated into 196 deaths. Roughly 17% of those arrested for operating a vehicle under the influence involved marijuana. Surprisingly, 55% of marijuana users
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This is the third segment of our Who is Responsible series that addresses major roadway safety concerns. We have all witnessed incidents involving “road rage” at some point. Angry or aggressive drivers are seen yelling, making gestures, or brake checking. Some incidents have gone much further, leading to property damage, injuries and even death. Reported instances are rising, according to the Colorado State Patrol (CSP). Captain Jeff Goodwin explains that some drivers are quite dangerous at times. We will look at current data
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In this second segment of the Who is Responsible series, we discuss another major roadway safety concern in Colorado. Hit-and-run accidents are a disturbing trend where motorists involved in collisions choose to immediately flee the scene. We will look at recent local examples, review data indicating the scope of the problem, insurance considerations, potential civil and criminal liability, and laws and actions being taken. Recent Denver Incidents Police in Denver are searching for a driver who collided with a pedestrian at 20th and Blake.
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This is the first of several Who is Responsible articles about circumstances that contribute to accidents, injuries & deaths on Colorado roadways. The first involves instances when law enforcement vehicles chase (pursue) other vehicles. Although popular in movies, these situations are a very dangerous reality. We will review a recent Colorado Springs incident, discuss Supreme Court opinion, address police pursuit policy development, and analyze policies at several enforcement agencies here in Colorado. Five individuals in Colorado Springs remained in the hospital after
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Over the last few years, new laws regarding distracted driving have been added all across the nation as many Americans are simply using their mobile devices constantly. A 2016 California-based survey indicated that 44% of people feel that texting while driving is the most dangerous form of distracted driving. Over 50% of respondents stated that they had been involved in a collision, or nearly in a crash because another driver was using a mobile device. In fact, the problem is so worrisome
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The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is working hard on efforts to improve I-25. Between 2011 and 2015, there were 5,537 collisions along I-25 between Colorado Springs and C-470. In particular, there is an 18-mile stretch from Monument to C-470 that has been especially known for accidents. CDOT has launched their latest program titled “Mind the Gap”, which specifically focuses on this stretch of highway. The car accidents are largely either rear-end or sideswipe collisions among vehicles moving in the same direction, as well
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There is little doubt that Colorado needs to remain focused on roadway safety after having 605 fatalities in 2016. The problem is not limited to passenger vehicles, as there were 125 fatalities among motorcyclists, 94 among pedestrians and 16 among bicyclists. These numbers represent over a 10% jump from the previous year, and the problem has received attention by the Colorado Department of Transportation, the State Highway Patrol and other such agencies. We are still a few years away from truly beginning
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