COLORADO TRAFFIC DEATHS DECLINE; MC DEATHS HOLD STEADY
By Tim Anderson
The number of people killed on Colorado roads in 2009 appears to be at the lowest point in three decades according to a preliminary report released by the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol.
464 people were killed in traffic crashes in 2009, a 15% decline from the 548 people killed in crashes in 2008. The 2009 total also marks the first time the fatality total has dipped below 500 since 1988. Colorado has seen a steady decline in fatalities since the total peaked at 743 deaths in 2002.
“Indications are that this trend will continue,” said Trooper Davis Hall, a spokesman for the CSP. “We expect to see a continuing decline in traffic fatalities, at least that’s what we’re working towards.”
While the overall traffic fatality picture was a bit brighter than in the past, the news wasn’t so good for Colorado motorcyclists.
80 bikers died in wrecks in 2009, making up 18% of the total for the year. The 80 deaths show motorcyclist deaths essentially holding steady. While the 2009 total is down slightly from 2008’s total of 84 deaths, the five-year trend is that fatal accidents are holding steady; 80 dead in 2009, 84 dead in 2008, 81 dead in 2007, 74 dead in 2006, and 86 dead in 2005.
Motorcyclists made up 18% of the fatalities for 2009, but account for only 4% of registered vehicles in Colorado, Hall said. “That’s something that gets your attention.”
Causes of the fatal motorcycle crashes are thought to largely shadow the causes in the overall total. In 2008, 40 percent of all traffic fatalities were alcohol-related, 33 percent of vehicle occupants killed were not wearing seat belts, and 18 percent of fatalities were motorcyclists.
2009 figures for alcohol-related crashes are not yet compiled, but hall said alcohol-related fatal motorcycle crashes may be sending up a red flag.
“This is a preliminary report, and all the data is not yet in,” Hall said, “but there may be information that indicates a high percentage of motorcycle crashes are alcohol related. It’s something we’re really going to look at.”
The overall decrease is remarkable in another area. The drop comes despite Colorado’s population growth and an increase of 4.2 billion mile traveled between 2002 and 2008.
State officials attribute the decline in fatalities, which is occurring nationwide, to improved vehicle safety, changes to roadways such as guardrails and other safety devices, better emergency medicine, and driver-awareness campaigns.
“The progress the state has made in saving lives is truly encouraging,” said Colorado Governor Bill Ritter. “Collaboration and partnerships across the state have resulted in incredible advances in public education, enforcement, engineering and emergency services in Colorado. Our challenge will be to continue this positive trend into the new decade, but it can’t be done without more people wearing seat belts and driving sober.”
Causal factors in traffic accidents in 2009 are mot yet available, but in 2008, 40 percent of all traffic fatalities were alcohol-related and 33 percent of vehicle occupants killed were not wearing seat belts.
“High-visibility enforcement campaigns such as the ‘Heat Is On’ and ‘Click It or Ticket’ have helped remind people of the consequences of breaking the law and the tragic outcome when lives are lost needlessly,” said Col. James Wolfinbarger, chief of the Colorado State Patrol “The Colorado State Patrol and law enforcement agencies across the state have been sending a clear message that dangerous behaviors like aggressive driving, speeding and drunk driving are not acceptable. And buckling up is the single most important thing you can do increase your odds of surviving a crash.”
In 2009, there was a 12 percent reduction in fatal crashes on roads patrolled by the Colorado State Patrol. That translates into 41 fewer persons killed or lives saved. This comes on the heels of a nearly 35 percent reduction in fatalities from 2001 to 2008 on roads under the jurisdictional authority of the State Patrol and has led to the lowest number of traffic deaths investigated by troopers in a decade.
“Education has been a huge factor in saving lives, but there have also been great advances in engineering that have made our roadways safer,” said CDOT’s Chief Engineer and Director of the Office of Transportation Safety, Pamela Hutton. “Everything from the installation of rumble strips and cable medians, to targeted safety improvements on roadways identified as high accident locations have prevented crashes or significantly increased the chances of surviving if one occurs.”
The passage of traffic safety oriented legislation has also played a role in reducing fatalities. Colorado’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) laws, which set limits and requirements on new teen drivers, are credited with helping reduce by half the number of young people age 15 to 20 killed in crashes each year. Safety experts are exploring ways that current laws can be strengthened to save additional lives, including increasing the required age for booster seats, expanding GDL laws, and passing a primary seat belt law in Colorado.
