(COLO.) – As temperatures warm, schools let out and road trips begin, the Colorado State Patrol urges drivers across Colorado to make one of the easiest and most important choices of all: take charge of your safety while traveling in a vehicle by using a seat belt. The “Buckle Like a Boss” campaign launches May 1, 2024, and reminds drivers and passengers that buckling up is a “no-brainer” and a “boss move” if they want to stay safe and stay alive.
With heavy traffic, construction zones, mountain passes, high-traffic rural roads and all kinds of weather, driving in Colorado is not a passive activity. In 2023, 81% of occupants who survived fatal crashes in Colorado wore a seat belt. By comparison, only 19% of unbuckled occupants survived.
Despite the proven benefit of reducing the risk of serious injury by 50% or death in a crash by 65% (NHTSA), Colorado’s seat belt usage rate is 88% – well below the national use average of 92%.
“While you can’t always control the speed or attention level of the drivers around you, Coloradoans can take control of their safety - just boss up and buckle up,” said Colonel Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Every ride, no matter how short or long, should start with a seat belt click. Make it a non-negotiable part of getting into the car for your friends and family.”
We often don’t celebrate those who are doing things well. So, the Colorado State Patrol wants to give a shout-out to those folks who are leading the way in seatbelt usage.
The Five Counties with the Highest Usage Rates in 2023:
- Arapahoe County (98.16%)
- Garfield County (97.38%)
- Douglas County (96.82%)
- Grand County (96.73%)
- Park County (95.82%)
For more information about the Colorado State Patrol’s seatbelt campaign, visit https://csp.colorado.gov. To learn more about the Colorado State Patrol, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
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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.