(COLO) – Whether traveling hundreds of miles or just a few minutes, Coloradoans hitting the roads this week should anticipate increasing congestion as the week progresses. Colorado State Troopers are asking motorists to plan for longer travel times whether due to heavier traffic or potential weather impacts.
“With the excitement or stress of the holiday, sometimes we forget that the extended Thanksgiving weekend is one of the busiest times of the year on our roadways,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “As you set your departure day, pick a time that allows you to begin well-rested and check the weather forecast here and along your route.”
The Colorado State Patrol also asks that motorists have patience with other drivers who may be visiting and unfamiliar with the area. Looking at crash investigation data from the last three years (2019 – 2021), Troopers discovered 88 instances where drivers unfamiliar with the area committed lane violations that caused a serious injury or fatal crash.
“Give people space on the roads and a little grace,” stated Col. Packard. “Remember what it is like driving through a new neighborhood or town for the first time. It can be intimidating and a bit confusing. Let’s make sure we do our part to have patience and be safe on the roads so that no one is missing from the holiday table.”
In addition, to showing courtesy to fellow drivers the Colorado State Patrol is sharing the two dominant behaviors impacting the safety of our Colorado roadways thus far in 2022. At the midpoint of this year (June 30, 2022), fatal crashes investigated by Colorado State Troopers had two primary causes (tied for #1):
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Lane violations
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 contributing 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.