CDOT Report Identifies 2014 Traffic Safety Issues
The FY2016 Problem Identification Report is used by CDOT along with law enforcement, local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and public health and prevention professionals to identify traffic safety problems and target areas for the development of prevention programs.
“The traffic safety problems identified in this report will guide our Highway Safety Office in its distribution of resources and aid in the development of prevention programs,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the CDOT’s Office of Transportation Safety. “Efforts to determine the modifiable risk factors associated with fatal crashes are needed to determine effective and efficient prevention efforts.”
Although Colorado has consistently held lower motor vehicle fatality rates compared to the nation as a whole, Colorado’s motor vehicle fatalities are increasing. The Colorado Problem Identification Report serves as a tool to support community-based approaches to improve Colorado Road Health and lower fatality rates.
In 2014, speeding-related fatalities, unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities, and fatalities with a driver impaired by alcohol accounted for the three largest proportions of the 488 motor vehicle deaths at 168 (34 percent), 164 (33 percent), and 160 (33 percent), respectively. The five year trend data indicate that all three factors are increasing, according to the report.
Unrestrained passenger vehicle occupant fatalities increased slightly from 162 in 2010 to 164 in 2014. Speeding-related fatalities increased by almost one percent from 162 in 2010 to 168 in 2014. Alcohol-related fatalities increased by more than seven percent in this time period from 120 in 2010 to 137 in 2014.
In 2014 there were 451 fatal crashes; 20 crashes higher than occurred in 2013. 488 persons were fatally injured in those crashes; a 1.5 percent increase from 2013. The counties with the highest number of traffic fatalities were: Weld (54), El Paso (53), Jefferson (44), Denver, (42), and Adams (33).
In 2014 there were 12,323 injury crashes, a 28 percent increase from 2013; 7,304 serious injury crashes; 3,224 serious injuries from crashes, a 2.9 percent decrease from 2013. The counties with the highest number of serious injuries were: Denver (610), Arapahoe (382), El Paso (293), Jefferson (257), Adams (243), Weld (206), Larimer (164), and Boulder (180).
Readers of the report are cautioned against utilizing one-year of data to draw conclusions; but instead are advised to evaluate trends over time, such as percent change over five-years.
A copy of the report is available at:
