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Motorcycle fatalities: Sadly reaching record highs

Omayra Acevedo
Posted 5/12/23

Summer in the Rocky Mountains attracts seasonal dwellers, tourists, and more road activity than one can keep up with. Whether it’s open car windows, a convertible scenic drive, or a motorcycle

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Motorcycle fatalities: Sadly reaching record highs

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Summer in the Rocky Mountains attracts seasonal dwellers, tourists, and more road activity than one can keep up with. Whether it’s open car windows, a convertible scenic drive, or a motorcycle ride on the open road, one thing that’s often forgotten is how easy it is to get distracted.

Last year alone, 149 motorcyclists were killed in Colorado. That’s 20% of the state’s total traffic fatalities, according to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). Only 3% of the 20% were registered vehicles.

So far this year, 21 motorcycle riders have lost their lives. A study from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows that not wearing a helmet, speed, and alcohol were contributing factors in motorcycle crashes.

The NHTSA states, “34% of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were speeding.” Speeding doesn’t only affect motorcyclists. Alcohol impairment also plays a significant role in motorcycle-involved crash fatalities, as well as automobiles.

Forty-one percent of the 2,158 motorcycle riders who died in single-vehicle crashes in 2020 nationwide were alcohol-impaired. Research conducted by the NHTSA concluded that motorcycle riders involved (killed or survived) in fatal crashes had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than any other type of motor vehicle driver.

CDOT shares, “Drivers also need to use caution around motorcycles. Intersections are particularly dangerous since drivers of passenger vehicles often fail to see oncoming motorcycles.”

Oftentimes, people neglect to come to a complete stop at a stop sign, assuming there’s no one coming. This decision has proven to be fatal in many cases. Is it truly that difficult to obey traffic laws? Is it worth it?

No one’s judging or placing blame, but everything we do as drivers, does not only affect ourselves but everyone sharing the road, motorcycles and wildlife included. Every decision we make behind the wheel has a consequence.

To help save a life, CDOT urges riders to keep speeds down and motorists to look twice. Remember, all it takes is one second of distraction to take a life on the road. Is checking social media updates worth the risk of losing your life or taking someone else’s?

The second it takes you to look down to see who’s calling can cost a life and having road rage only affects one person. You! Always ask yourself, “Is what I’m doing worth the risk?”

Here is some advice from CDOT:

• Observe all traffic laws and always obey the speed limit.

• Drive and ride alcohol- and drug-free.

• Avoid distractions such as phones or anything else that takes your eyes off the road

• Yield to motorcyclists, especially while turning at intersections.

• Wear high-visibility personal protective gear and DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets.

To learn more about road safety and sharing the road with motorcycles, visit https://www.codot.gov/safety/ motorcycle/motorcycle-laws.html or https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety.