Speed, Seat Belts and Impaired Driving Cause Most Fatalities on Colorado Roads
STATEWIDE—In 2012, the total number of motor vehicle fatalities in Colorado increased for the first time in six years after a steady decline. Speed-related fatalities, fatalities with a driver impaired by alcohol, and unbuckled occupant vehicles fatalities accounted for the three largest proportions of motor vehicle deaths in Colorado. Of 472 motor vehicle deaths in 2012, 162 (34%) were speed-related and an estimated 133 (28%) involved a driver impaired by alcohol. Of major concern is that of the 287 passenger vehicle fatalities, 156 (54%) were unbuckled.
To combat these and other traffic safety issues, the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Office of Transportation Safety offers grant funds through the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) to agencies, organizations and tribal governments within the State of Colorado that provide programs, projects, services and strategies that are intended to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries resulting from traffic crashes on Colorado roadways.
“Focusing prevention efforts related to speed, impaired driving and seat belt use provide the greatest opportunity to impact the total number of fatalities on Colorado roadways,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety at CDOT. “But there are many other traffic safety issues that also need attention, such as pedestrian safety and impaired driving involving marijuana. It’s through our local communities that we move the needle in terms of decreasing motor vehicle fatalities and serious injury crashes.”
The total projected funding available is $3.5 million and the average award amount typically ranges from $50,000-$75,000 The Request For Application (RFA) process kicks off during a webinar on Monday, Feb. 3 from 1:00-3:00 p.m., which covers the 2014 Problem Identification Report and the FY15 grant funding process. Applications are due to CDOT on April 1 by 3:00 p.m. The RFA, application and other data sources will be available at http://www.coloradodot.info/business/grants/safetygrants as of Feb. 3. To log onto the webinar onFeb. 3, visit https://cdphe.adobeconnect.com/cdotproblemid/
For more information, contact Carol Gould, Highway Safety Manager at CDOT, at [email protected].
