Revving up road safety as motorcycle deaths reach all-time high

The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is an annual event held in Sturgis, South Dakota, and is one of the largest and most iconic motorcycle rallies in the world. Following Sturgis, the Colorado Department of Transportation is revving up motorcycle safety and has new resources to share.

Colorado motorcyclist fatalities have reached an all-time high in Colorado. In 2022, 149 motorcyclists were killed on Colorado roads and an estimated 1,200 were injured. While motorcyclists represent just 3% of our state’s roadway users, they account for a staggering 20% of all deaths. This is, frankly, bad news. But the good news? We’re in the driver’s seat when it comes to reversing this trend.

CDOT has created a toolkit for its partners, focusing on raising awareness among motorists about the importance of safety when driving around motorcycles. This toolkit offers safety materials for both motorcycle riders and drivers when around motorcycles. Reach out to [email protected] for more information about the toolkit. 

As motorcycle riders make their way home from Sturgis, CDOT offers the following safety tips and reminders for motorists:

• Yield to motorcyclists, especially while turning at intersections.
• Look twice, save a life. Most crashes between cars and motorcycles involve turning left at an intersection. If you are preparing to cross traffic or turn left, take a second look for motorcycles.
• Scan the road for motorcycles before changing lanes or turning. Be aware of motorcycles in your surroundings.
• Don't tailgate motorcycles. Give them plenty of space to brake in case of an emergency.
• Check blind spots before changing lanes or merging, especially in heavy traffic.
• Avoid distractions such as phones or anything else that takes your eyes off the road.