The Colorado State Patrol warns drivers on the Western Slope of the dangers mountain roads present. Among these dangers include cyclists, roadway debris and wildlife, and driving above safe speeds can create deadly situations, according to a news release Friday.
CSP troopers investigated 163 serious injury or fatal crashes in 2023 between Memorial Day and Labor Day weekends. One leading factor was drivers exceeding safe speeds.
While risky driving behavior more often occurs over the weekend, data indicates that speeding crashes happen the most on Mondays and Fridays, according to the release.
“The data suggests that many of our speeding-caused crashes could stem from over-confidence and local drivers’ complacency,” said Major Brett Williams, District Commander for Region 5 of the Colorado State Patrol. “Speed limits are there for your safety, and if everyone follows them, traffic flow will also be enhanced.”
Drivers of recreational vehicles can help avoid aggressive or reckless driving by safely pulling off the road when long lines of traffic pile up behind them. On multilane roadways, stay in the right lane unless passing. For more mountain driving tips, visit https://csp.colorado.gov/super-cruising-in-colorado.
