(COLO) – Constructions zones have lower speed limits and a number of high-visibility warning devices for good reason, these areas can be dangerous and deadly for roadside workers. Yet despite efforts to capture driver focus and encourage safe driving through work zones, in 2022, Colorado State Troopers investigated 1,138 crashes in construction zones across the state.
“Road work can be frustrating and sometimes confusing. This is exactly why it is each driver’s responsibility to stay focused on the task of driving while following traffic rules,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “There is no other way to say this - people’s lives are depending on you. Construction zones require extra caution”
April 17 kicks off National Work Zone Awareness Week and with the warming weather, Colorado communities will begin experiencing an increase in road construction projects.
The Colorado State Patrol is sharing the top causal factors of construction zone crashes investigated by troopers in 2022. Troopers found that approximately 1/3 of these crashes were caused by drivers following too closely to the vehicle in front of them. The second most common cause was due to drivers committing a lane violation in a construction zone (22%) and the third top causal factor was driving distracted through this high-risk area (17%).
|
Crash Causal Factor |
Number of Crashes |
% of Total |
|
Following Too Closely |
384 |
34% |
|
Lane Violation |
246 |
22% |
|
Inattentive to Driving |
195 |
17% |
|
Exceeded Safe Speed |
60 |
5% |
|
DUI |
43 |
4% |
|
All Others (Misc) |
41 |
4% |
|
Failed to Yield RoW |
31 |
3% |
|
Drove While Asleep |
21 |
2% |
|
Disregarded Traffic Control |
17 |
1% |
|
Improper Passing |
13 |
1% |
|
Defective Vehicle |
13 |
1% |
|
DUID |
12 |
1% |
|
Medically Caused |
10 |
1% |
|
Improper Turn (Other) |
10 |
1% |
|
Spilling of Load |
9 |
1% |
|
Exceeded Lawful Speed |
7 |
1% |
|
N/A |
6 |
1% |
|
Animal Caused |
5 |
0% |
|
Improper Backing |
5 |
0% |
|
Improper Left Turn |
3 |
0% |
|
Disregarded Stop Sign |
2 |
0% |
|
Improper Load |
2 |
0% |
|
Counter Report (Unknown) |
1 |
0% |
|
Wrong Side of Road |
1 |
0% |
|
Pedestrian Violation |
1 |
0% |
"Give some space to the driver in front of you. By removing the space, you are decreasing the amount of time and room you have to react to the driver braking or swerving for road debris, dips, bumps, equipment or people," explains Col. Packard. "Larger following distances give the time you need to avoid a crash."
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Troopers continue to take a low tolerance approach to lane violations while launching a yearlong campaign called “Stay in Your Lane.” This campaign is designed to remind people to control their lane position based on their current driving environment. This campaign also aims to bring attention to three of the most common and avoidable behaviors that contribute to lane violations – driving aggressively, driving distracted or driving while impaired. |
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ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs. In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the Governor and other dignitaries’ protection, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more.