(COLORADO) — As Colorado drivers grow older, the adoption of seatbelt use increases.. For Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (December 1 – 5), the Colorado State Patrol reviewed four years (2021-2024) of serious injury and fatal crash data to understand the risks and factors involved in the most severe crash scenarios investigated by troopers. This data revealed that seatbelt use among drivers aged 70 and above was significantly higher at 78% compared to 66.7% for all other age groups.
Despite the use of safety equipment, troopers want older drivers to understand the importance of assessing their individual mental and physical capabilities, which are essential for safe driving.
“The optimal situation is for drivers to determine when they no longer feel safe behind the wheel and volunteer to retire from driving. When this happens, they can turn in their license to the Department of Motor Vehicles and receive a Colorado ID card free of charge,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Unfortunately, sometimes loved ones, or even officers, need to intervene if they see concerning and dangerous driving behavior.”
When looking specifically at at-fault fatal crashes investigated by the Colorado State Patrol for drivers aged 70+ in this same time period, troopers found that serious injury and fatal at-fault crashes were most frequent on Wednesdays, followed by Fridays. The most prevalent time was between 11 a.m. and noon, followed by consistently high crash rates from noon through 5 p.m.
When examining only fatal at-fault crashes involving drivers aged 70 and above, the Colorado State Patrol data over these four years revealed a mix of rural and urban areas.
Top Five Counties for Fatal At-Fault Crashes by Drivers 70+ (descending order)
- Boulder
- Douglas
- El Paso
- Larimer
- Jefferson
Top Five Roadways for Fatal At-Fault Crashes by Driver 70+ (descending order)
- Highway 50
- Interstate 70
- Highway 160
- Interstate 25
- Highway 285
“Many seniors adjust their schedules to combat the impact of driving at night, heavy traffic congestion, and poor weather,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Family and friends can support their loved ones by connecting them with driving services, scheduling time to take them places involving a lengthy or challenging commute, and watching for signs that could place a person at risk.”
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The Colorado State Patrol is recognizing Older Driver Safety Awareness Week this December 1 – 5, 2025. This campaign targets the older, often more experienced drivers and their loved ones about the most common behaviors that lead to serious injury and death for their age group on Colorado roadways.
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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.