Latest news with #MatthewC.Packard
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Colorado State Patrol asks drivers to respect lane filtering motorcyclists
DENVER (KDVR) — The Colorado State Patrol is urging drivers to respect motorcyclists engaged in lane filtering, with summer riding season officially underway. First and foremost, CSP said it is important for drivers to understand the difference between lane splitting, which is illegal, and lane filtering, which was legalized last year and took effect last August. What's the difference between lane filtering and lane splitting — and which one is legal? 'The first thing Coloradoans need to understand is that there is a seemingly small but important difference between lane filtering and lane splitting,' CSP Chief Col. Matthew C. Packard said in a statement. 'One maneuver is legal, and the other remains prohibited, so let's all start by getting on the same page.' Lane filtering is when a motorcyclist passes other cars that are at a complete stop. Lane splitting, meanwhile, is when a rider rides in-between cars that are in motion. According to the new law, the CSP says these five rules must be followed: To pass, traffic in the rider's lane and adjacent lanes going the same direction must be at a complete stop The lane must be wide enough to fit the vehicle and motorcycle while passing The motorcycle must go 15 mph or less The rider must pass safely and control the motorcycle The rider must pass on the left and not enter the oncoming traffic lane Sign up for the FOX31 Denver Guide weekly newsletter for events and activities 'It's up to the rider to assess each situation and determine if the conditions are safe and legal to filter – it's an option, not a requirement to filter,' Packard said. 'It is also the responsibility of every motorist to share the road. Drive with etiquette and with the law in mind. Respecting each other and driving without distractions will make our commutes faster and safer.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Yahoo
CSP: Memorial Day was top holiday for DUI arrests in 2024
(COLORADO) — The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) said long holiday weekends are a time to relax, but not relax on safety rules when it comes to impairing substances. According to CSP, holiday weekends are associated with an uptick in serious injury and fatal car crashes, many of which are related to impaired drivers. 'Last year, troopers arrested more impaired drivers on Memorial Day weekend than on any other holiday,' stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. 'Being responsible should be ingrained as a step in making your holiday plans. There are rideshares, public transportation, and folks who might be happy to serve as designated drivers.' CSP said in 2024, troopers arrested 63 drivers for DUI on Memorial Day, a 117% increase over 2023, with 29 arrests. CSP also said holiday weekends can be impacted by heavy congestion, unfamiliar routes, and other changing weather conditions. The previous holiday weekend, which included Valentine's Day and President's Day, troopers responded to seven fatal crashes with eight deaths and four additional crashes with serious injuries, according to CSP. Difficult driving conditions caused by a multi-day winter storm, congested mountain corridors, and traffic delays due to road closures were listed as factors for that weekend by CSP. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Are Coloradans driving safer? Data shows decline in road deaths in 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.
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Fatal Garfield County crash was 1 of 7 deadly collisions over the weekend
GARFIELD COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) – Colorado State Patrol investigated seven fatal crashes that occurred over the weekend. One of them happened in Garfield County. According to CSP, a two-vehicle crash happened on Highway 82 around 8:36 p.m., Saturday. The driver of a 2002 Toyota Camry lost control while negotiating a left curve and entered the other lanes. A 2025 Camry struck the front passenger side of the 2002 Camry which continued down an embankment. The 2002 Camry driver was dead at the scene. Three occupants in the 2025 Camry were transported to the hospital. Two of the individuals sustained serious bodily injuries, according to the state patrol. CSP said troopers responded to seven fatal crashes with eight deaths and four others sustaining serious injuries. The state patrol said the difficult driving conditions in the mountain corridors played a role in the crashes. 'When driving in winter driving conditions, we want folks to take the warnings from law enforcement, department of transportation and the news meteorologists seriously,' Col. Matthew C. Packard, who is the chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in a new release. 'This weekend has left dozens of families with broken hearts. Winter conditions require drivers to reduce their speed, increase their stopping distances and use extra caution. Quick maneuvers won't work in winter conditions.' The other crashes occurred in Elbert, Park, Adams (twice) and Archuleta counties, as well as Fort Carson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
16-02-2025
- CBS News
Fourth Colorado State Patrol cruiser struck in 3 days amid icy roads
In a matter of just three days, four Colorado State Patrol cruisers have been struck by other motorists. While icy roads appear to have contributed to at least one of those crashes, driving under the influence did, too, according to CSP. The only injuries reported in any of the four crashes were the alleged DUI driver. Still, CSP is warning drivers to stay alert, watch their speeds when roads are icy and visibility is low, and put cell phones and other distractions away. "You are responsible for adjusting your speed and space between vehicles based on real-time conditions," Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in a statement. "Emergency responders, tow truck drivers are out there in miserable conditions, to keep our roadway users safe and get traffic flowing. When you drive, you have their lives in your hands. Drive accordingly -- slow down and move over." All four crashes were secondary in nature, according to CSP, meaning the state troopers were pulling over or assisting other motorists and stopped in or on the side of the highway when a car crashed into them. The string of crashes started Friday morning when a trooper closed one eastbound lane of Interstate 70 between Rifle and Glenwood Springs because of a crash. That trooper's cruiser was struck from behind around 9:30 a.m. Later that night, a trooper tried to pull over a driver who didn't have their headlights on near Colorado Springs on Interstate 25. As the car was pulling over, it crashed into a guardrail, spun back into the highway, and hit the CSP cruiser around 7:15 p.m.. That driver was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries and later arrested and charged with DUI and careless driving, according to CSP. Two more crashes occurred Sunday morning. The first occurred around 1:30 a.m. when a trooper was laying out cones while trying to help another motorist on southbound I-25 near Fountain. Despite the lights being activated on the cruiser, a semi-truck hit the side of the CSP vehicle. No one was injured in that crash. Then around 7 a.m., a trooper was trying to close northbound I-25 at East Palmer Divide Avenue near Monument because of multiple crashes that had already occurred in the area due to low visibility and icy roads, when one vehicle crashed into another, sending it crashing into the CSP cruiser. No injuries were reported in that crash either.
