Road safety in Denver, Colorado

Car accidents in Denver and other cities in Colorado often occur because motorists fail to follow road safety rules or follow general safety guidelines. Failure to follow road safety rules can lead to car accidents and injuries to motorists, passengers, pedestrians and other occupants in Denver roads. Our Denver car accident attorney pursues motorists for injuries caused by negligence. All drivers are expected to know traffic safety laws and follow them when driving.

Why road safety matters

One of the biggest global issues with public health and injury prevention now is road accidents. The problem is made worse by the fact that the majority of the victims were in excellent health prior to their vehicular accidents. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than 1 million people die each year on the world’s roads. According to a report issued by the WHO in 2004, traffic accidents were the primary cause of death for children between the ages of 10 and 19 and resulted in an estimated 1.2 million deaths and 50 million injuries annually. The research also mentioned that simple preventative measures might cut the number of deaths in half and that developing countries were where the problem was most acute. Safety while driving can avoid many of these unfortunate losses.

Most important rules for traffic safety

Many simple acts can avoid car accidents and injuries. Following road safety laws is important, but general safety precautions can also significantly reduce the likelihood of injuries to you and your family.

Buckle up. One of the best methods to keep safe in the event of an accident is to do this. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that seat belts saved 14,668 lives in 2016 and that an additional 2,456 lives might have been saved if everyone in the car had fastened their seatbelts.

Pay attention while driving. One of the simplest ways to get into problems on the road is to drive while distracted. Keep your focus where it belongs, on the road and the cars in your immediate vicinity. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents in Denver and other parts of Colorado. Distracted driving can be caused by:

• Texting while driving
• Taking phone calls as a motorist
• Watching videos or movies on your phone
• Rowdy passengers in your car
• Eating while driving
• Paying attention to map apps more than your surroundings
• Teen drivers overwhelmed by inexperienced driving

If you’re not totally awake, don’t drive. Drink that additional cup of coffee before you go behind the wheel if you need to really wake up. Make arrangements for a designated driver because alcohol and some drugs can cause you to feel tired. If you have young drivers, emphasize the necessity of driving while completely awake and alert at all times.

Road safety statistics in Colorado

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), more than 600 people die in traffic fatalities each year in our state. These fatalities are largely avoidable by motorists following road safety rules and not driving under unsafe conditions. Of the 50,000 car accidents in Colorado each year, 18,000 of those are in Denver alone. Across Colorado, those 50,000 accidents result in more than 3,100 serious bodily injuries. Of course, this does not even consider the economic costs of property damage in car accidents.

Motorists must follow Colorado traffic laws and the road safety municipal ordinances in Denver and other cities, but following the law is not always enough to protect yourself from car accidents. Following common sense safety protocols and avoiding dangerous road conditions can significantly reduce your chance of injuries to yourself or others.