(COLORADO)—Last year, 162 motorcyclists lost their lives in Colorado (CDOT). Looking at crashes, from property damage to a fatality, involving motorcycles investigated by the Colorado State Patrol, troopers responded to 669 last year. With summer in full swing, troopers are urging riders to follow the rules of the road, including reducing aggressive driving maneuvers, removing distractions and never riding after taking an impairing substance.
“Riding a motorcycle can be exhilarating but comes with inherent risks due to limited physical protection,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Riders who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs add a reduction in coordination, reaction time, and concentration to the experience. It's beyond risky, it's reckless.”
Yet in 2024, there was an alarming 52% increase in impaired rider at-fault crashes investigated by troopers. For Colorado State Patrol investigated crashes, impaired driving moved from the sixth most common causal factor of at-fault rider crashes in 2023 to the fourth most common in 2024.
At-Fault Motorcycle Crashes Investigated by the Colorado State Patrol
| 2023 | 2024 |
1 | Speed | Speed |
2 | Lane violation | Lane violation |
3 | Inattentive driving | Inattentive driving |
4 | Animal caused | Impairment |
5 | All other | Animal caused |
6 | Impairment | All other |
7 | Following too closely | Following too closely |
8 | Passing | Passing |
9 | Defective vehicle | Defective vehicle |
10 | Disregard of a sign/traffic device | Improper turning |
“Alcohol is still the most commonly used impairing substance in Colorado, so riders should be aware that even a small amount of alcohol can have a significant effect,” explains Col. Packard. “Riders will not track moving objects around them as well as when they are sober. They will have reduced responses to emergency driving situations, and they may struggle to maintain lane position or even brake appropriately.”
The ability to safely operate a motorcycle or any vehicle is reduced when you are impaired. Make a plan for a sober ride or skip riding as an activity.
In addition to a no-tolerance approach to enforcement with impaired drivers, the Colorado State Patrol is highlighting the consequences an average Colorado driver experiences after being arrested for DUI as part of their “Don’t Underestimate Impairment” campaign during the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer (Memorial Day through Labor Day). Making a good decision “in the moment” while already intoxicated is unlikely. Don’t underestimate the consequences of this choice, and plan ahead for a sober ride.
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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 protection of the Governor and other dignitaries, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more. For additional information, visit us online at Colorado State Patrol or follow us on X, Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.