(Colorado) – If you are taking a trip to Colorado’s Western Slope, you are in for some amazing sightseeing. Viewing the natural landscapes and wildlife is part of the objective as you head to your final destination, but the Colorado State Patrol wants drivers to stop at scenic overlooks instead of driving distracted or parking on the shoulder of a busy and congested road. “Many mountain roads are only a single lane in each direction with steep grades and blind curves. A partial lane obstruction is a major hazard,” cautions Major Dave Rollins, District 4 Commander, Colorado State Patrol. “If you were distracted enough to pull over on a road with limited or no shoulder, chances are the person behind you or coming toward you could be equally distracted.” Last year, the Colorado State Patrol investigated 15 fatal and 62 serious injury crashes on Colorado’s Western Slope related to lane violations from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Crashes were most frequent on Friday-Sunday, with the majority of incidents occurring between noon and 8 p.m. on each of those days. In many of these crashes, troopers found the at-fault driver was driving aggressively or did not have proper experience with mountain road conditions. Visitors are encouraged to learn the routes they plan to drive while visiting the region by visiting the Super Cruising in Colorado website. As part of a summer awareness campaign, Super Cruising in Colorado, the Colorado State Patrol has created a web resource to help prepare visitors for the scenic byways and mountain roadways throughout the area and the common traits of two-lane roads. In addition, check out the video on properly distributing weight on your trailer. |
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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.