COLORADO SPRINGS — There is a deadly trend happening on our roads. “I’d say what we’re seeing right now is ridiculous,” said Drive Smart Colorado, Executive Director, Maile Gray. Data gathered during the first six months of 2020 shows traffic fatality numbers at or exceeding numbers for all 12 months of 2019.
It is happening across the county and Colorado. Data specific to southeast Colorado follows the trend.
In the southeast region including Colorado Springs and Pueblo there were 54 fatal accidents for the first six months of 2020. The number is 53 for all 12 months of 2019.
Motorcycle tragedies are a category with some of the most troubling numbers. "Motorcycle deaths are absolutely the highest that we've seen in decades, year to date," said Gray. Through June of 2020 it is at 18 fatalities for the southeast region. There were 8 motorcycle fatalities for all of 2019.
There is reason to see a possible association with the COVID-19 response. January and February showed typical trends. Then Gray says numbers started rapidly rising. "Since the middle of March until now we have just accelerated everything to numbers that should not normally happen in only this few months." More study has to happen to determine if the two are related.
Whatever the reason, fatal accidents in Colorado are happening at an alarming rate. Gray says slowing down and wearing seatbelts remain he best ways too prevent tragedy on our roads.
