Are Coloradans driving safer? Data shows decline in road deaths in 2025

Yahoo

26-04-2025

DENVER (KDVR) — Data shows that crashes involving speed, impairment and distractions are down across the state.
The Colorado Department of Transportation released traffic fatality data for so far this year on Friday, showing that traffic deaths have decreased by 21% across the state.
Data: These areas had the deadliest roads in Colorado in 2024
Denver County is tracking right where it was at this point last year, with 15 deaths. Several counties have experienced significantly fewer road deaths so far compared to last year, and two have recorded an increase.
In 2025 so far, El Paso and Larimer counties have recorded less than half the number of road deaths recorded during the same period last year. Meanwhile, Mesa County's road fatalities have doubled, and Douglas County has seen a significant increase as well.
Here's a look at the road deaths in major counties so far this year compared to last year:
County
2025 deaths
2024 deaths
El Paso
10
20
Dener
15
15
Adams
14
23
Weld
14
17
Pueblo
9
13
Arapahoe
8
13
Jefferson
7
11
Larimer
5
11
Boulder
4
6
Mesa
4
2
Douglas
8
1
So far this year, a total of 130 people have died on roads in Colorado, according to CDOT, down from 164 during the same period in 2024.
The department reported a 70% decrease in deaths among teen drivers so far this year. Motorcyclist deaths also decreased by 12.5%, and pedestrian and bicyclist deaths decreased by 17.5%.
Coloradans have reportedly been wearing seatbelts more in recent years, with data showing an increase in usage in both 2023 and 2024. So far in 2025, CDOT has recorded a 12.5% decrease in crashes that killed unbuckled drivers or passengers.
This Colorado county racked up the most speeding citations in 2024
CDOT reports a decrease in common crash contributing factors as well, including:
12.5% decrease in unbuckled crash deaths
19% decrease in fatalities involving impaired drivers
22% decrease in fatalities involving distracted drivers
26% decrease in fatalities involving speeding
The decline so far this year follows a 5% decrease from 2023 to 2024. The state's all-time high for one year was 736 deaths on roads in 2022.
The department said the fatality decrease reflects progress made in the state's efforts to improve roadway safety, as well as improvement in driver behavior.
'This progress is hopeful and underscores the efforts made by legislation and enforcement to improve roadway safety. It also signals that more individual drivers are using safe behaviors,' said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. 'However, every fatality is preventable, and more work can be done. We need drivers to stay focused, drive the posted speed limit and always drive sober. Let's continue this trend and ensure more Coloradans make it home safe to their loved ones.'
CDOT cited a handful of new laws that may be contributing to the decrease. The state's new hands-free law prohibits the use of a handheld device while driving, but allows drivers to use hands-free devices. First-time offenders could get hit with a minimum of a $75 fine.
Starting Jan. 1, doing this while driving could earn you a $75 fine in Colorado
Colorado also updated its child passenger safety law to require booster seats for passengers until age nine, rear-facing car seats until a child is two years old or reaches 40 lbs and mandatory seat belt use until the age of 18.
The department and law enforcement agencies across the state have also ramped up enforcement of express lane violations across the state, giving drivers who weave in and out of the boundaries a fine of $75 or more.
CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety Director Darrell Lingk noted that drivers need to do their part to keep road deaths down.
'Drive sober, put the phone down and follow the speed limit. One reckless decision can change a life forever,' Lingk said.
Summer is historically the deadliest time of the year on Colorado roads, and CDOT offered these safety tips for drivers to keep in mind:
Buckle up on every trip, and ensure your passengers and any children are properly restrained.
Put the phone away while driving, even at stoplights.
Always plan a safe and sober ride when consuming alcohol, cannabis or other impairing substances.
Obey speed limits, especially in construction and school zones.
Stay alert and make eye contact with drivers when walking or biking across intersections.
CDOT and CSP have a goal to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths and serious injuries by 22.5% in 2027.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.