Colorado Sees Rise In Motorcycle Deaths Since 2018

Over the past 10 years, motorcycle deaths in Colorado have risen by 57%, an alarming trend that’s prompted a wave of motorcycle safety campaigns, driver awareness, and heightened community engagement about the dangers motorcyclists face every day. 

With the unofficial start of Spring, May is recognized as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and has been a campaign that’s boosted safety and driver awareness for motorcycles on the roadways. 

Today, we’ll take a closer look at why this surge in motorcycle deaths is happening in the first place and what you can do, whether you’re a driver of a passenger vehicle or a motorcyclist, to help keep the roadways safe for everyone. 

The Troubling Trend Of Colorado Motorcycle Deaths

The motorcycle fatality statistics​ are alarming. Despite making up just three percent of all registered vehicles on Colorado’s roadways, motorcycle fatalities make up nearly one quarter, 24%, of all traffic deaths in the state.

Over the past 10 years, motorcycle deaths have climbed steadily. According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, 2024 saw the highest number of total motorcycle fatalities recorded in recent years, with a recorded 165 motorcycle fatalities. In 2023, 2022, and 2021, fatality numbers were 135, 149, and 137, respectively.

What’s Causing The Rise In Motorcycle Deaths? 

There are a number of factors that contribute to the alarming spike in motorcycle fatalities in Colorado and across the nation. Unfortunately, many of these factors are preventable, and recognizing the role they play in accidents is critical in helping make drivers of passenger vehicles and motorcyclists more aware of how to stay safe while on the roadways. 

Let’s take a closer look at what some of these factors are, and how they’ve contributed to the rise in motorcycle fatalities across the state.

Not Wearing A Helmet

In 2024, 73 of the 165 motorcycle fatalities involved motorcyclists who were not wearing a helmet at the time of their crash. This is an alarming 44% of riders. A helmet is critical in helping protect your head, neck, and spine during an accident, and can prevent catastrophic injuries or death from occurring. 

As with 2024, in previous years, the number of riders without helmets was just as alarming. In 2023, 2022, and 2021, the number of motorcyclists who were not wearing helmets at the time of their crash was 68, 76, and 76, respectively.

Decline In Traffic Enforcement

Traffic enforcement has also been on the decline in recent years, according to recent reporting, with a decline in enforcement reaching roughly 50%. Reduced rates of issued traffic tickets, including DUI and speeding tickets, have contributed to the overall lax environment that exists for Colorado drivers nowadays. This lax driving environment exists for a number of reasons, but can be the aftereffect of poor pay for officers and reduced numbers of new police officers among other reasons. 

How Riders Can Stay Safe

There are a number of things that motorcycle riders can do to stay safe on today’s roadways. A lot of these things take a proactive approach from motorcyclists. Take a closer look at what to do as a motorcyclist to stay safe when you hit the road.

Gear up Properly

It’s important to wear the right protective gear when getting on a motorcycle. Helmets are critical because they can save you from catastrophic injuries like paralysis or traumatic brain injuries in the event of an accident. You should also wear other motorcycle protective gear, including an armored jacket, gloves, and coverup fully so that you don’t have any skin exposed to avoid rash if you are involved in an accident.

Practice Defensive Riding Tactics

When you’re on a motorcycle, you should assume at all times that other drivers don’t see you. This can help significantly reduce your risk of being hit by another passenger vehicle on the roadway. Some defensive driving tactics to practice include avoiding being in a driver’s blind spot, staying diligent when making left turns, using your hands if you intend to switch lanes, and a number of others. You can brush up on these tactics with a defensive driving course.

Avoid High Risk Situations

Don’t drive in bad weather or at night, as this increases your chances of getting involved in a motorcycle accident. If you’re driving on unfamiliar roadways, drive during the daytime and in clear weather so that you can stay alert and aware. 

As with passenger vehicles, you should never ride a motorcycle if you are under the influence, and you should make it a priority to obey all traffic laws and speed limits to minimize your risk of injury, keep others safe, and avoid traffic related charges.

Get Help From Bachus & Schanker Immediately

It’s important to know your legal rights and options, and that you have an understanding of motorcycle accident laws if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident. The team at Bachus & Schanker is ready to help you break down what to do next if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident and have suffered severe injuries, or if your loved one was involved in a fatal motorcycle accident.

Reach out to our team today to get a free case evaluation where we go over what your options are, what to do next, and how the support of an experienced Colorado motorcycle accident lawyer can help you with your case.