(COLO) – Warmer weather often increases traffic as people spend more time away from home and road trips become more frequent. Clear roads with nicer weather coupled with traffic congestion can contribute to feelings of impatience and aggression.
“The temptation to speed is a real issue for some drivers, whether it is time pressure, an adrenaline rush or a lack of awareness of the risks toward others,” explained Col. Mathew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Yet, controlling this urge is the responsibility of every license holder.”
Last year, according to Colorado State Patrol citation data, speeding citations peaked in April (4,341 citations) and remained high through the end of October. Troopers issued over 47,000 speeding citations in 2024.
Speed limits are set based on road design and how much traffic there is, to keep everyone safe. Going over these limits puts everyone at risk, including the driver and others on the road. By understanding the dangers associated with speeding, we can all work towards creating safer roadways and preventing unnecessary accidents. Speeding raises the risk of accidents and their severity. Here's how:
- Increased Rollover Accidents: Higher speeds make vehicles, especially tall ones, more prone to rollovers.
- Reduced Control: Speeding reduces your ability to control the vehicle, particularly in unexpected situations.
- Extended Stopping Distances: The faster you drive, the longer it takes to stop, increasing the likelihood of collisions.
- Compromised Safety Features: Safety features are less effective at higher speeds, leading to more serious injuries.
- Decreased Reaction Time: Speeding reduces the time you have to react to hazards, making it harder to avoid accidents.
- Greater Impact Force: Higher speeds result in more forceful impacts, causing more severe damage and injuries.
In Colorado, points and penalties for traffic violations increase based on the severity of the violation.
Troopers are taking a low-tolerance approach to the top fatal crash factors, including lane violations and speeding while launching a three-month campaign called “Stop Speeding.” This campaign wants every Colorado driver to break the myth that speeding is a “victimless crime” and encourages you to drive like a trooper is riding with you.
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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.