CDOT, CSP urge motorcycle safety
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and the Colorado Department of Transportation is working with Colorado State Patrol to encourage motorists to put safety first.
'Unfortunately, our roadways are increasingly becoming unsafe for motorcyclists,' says Sam Cole, traffic safety manager for the Colorado Department of Transportation.
Motorcycle deaths in the state have risen by 57% in the last decade. Cole says there are a few notable contributing factors.
'When it comes to motorcyclists, it's a problem with them riding too fast, or they're impaired by drugs or alcohol, or they just don't have on helmets.'
Cole also says fatal crashes frequently happen at intersections where it can be hard for drivers to see motorcyclists.
'That's why it's so important, especially at intersections, to be looking for those non-vehicle entities, those bicyclists, those motorcyclists… There's some drivers of passenger vehicles out there that are distracted. They're not paying attention. That's why motorcyclists need to need to wear their helmets because you can't always avoid a crash.'
According to CDOT, 44% of motorcyclists killed in crashes in 2024 were not wearing a helmet.
He also reminds motorcyclists of the difference between lane filtering, made legal in Colorado in August 2024, and lane splitting.
'Lane splitting is when motorcycles will pass in between vehicles that are moving on the roadway. That is illegal, highly illegal. But lane filtering, passing those stopped vehicles so you can get to the front of the line and out of harm's way is legal,' says Cole.
He says lane filtering is a good way for motorcyclists to get to the front of the line of traffic so they aren't hit from behind.
Cole encourages motorcyclists to not only wear safety gear like boots, gloves and a helmet, but also to 'keep your speeds down, obey the law, and don't ride impaired.'
As for drivers, Cole says, 'They just need to be more aware that there's other people on our roadways besides cars and trucks.'
At the end of the day, Cole says it's important for all motorists to be mindful on the road.
'I don't want to pin this only on drivers of vehicles or riders of motorcycles. It's really everybody that's contributing to this problem on our roads.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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