While Denver is one of the top travel destinations in the United States, it is also growing rapidly. From hiking and skiing to professional sports and nightlife, Denver truly has something for everyone. While this is good news for the local economy, it also means that Denver-area roadways are becoming increasingly congested, and this means that auto accidents are on the rise as well.
We’ll stick with winter for a moment, because winter weather is certainly a factor in a significant number of auto accidents in the Denver area each year. While many locals are experienced in winter-weather driving and take the necessary steps to prepare their vehicles in advance, just as many – if not more – are ill-equipped to operate their vehicles safely in the ice and snow. Additionally, from icy downtown roads and highways to snowy mountain passes, winter driving conditions can be extremely hazardous even for the most-experienced drivers.
Drunk driving has long been an issue in the Denver area; and, with the legalization of recreational marijuana in 2012, marijuana-involved accidents have recently been on the rise. Drivers who are drunk or high are dangers to themselves and everyone else on the roads. As a result, it is important for local drivers to be aware of the warning signs of a driver who is impaired (i.e. swerving, weaving and failing to maintain a consistent speed), particularly in the evenings and after major sporting events when the prevalence of impaired drivers is higher than normal.
According to data from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), “[m]ore than 40 car crashes occur each day in Colorado involving distracted drivers.” Distracted driving has grown to become the leading cause of car accidents nationwide in recent years, and CDOT reports that 85 percent of Colorado residents admit to driving while distracted every single day. While these accidents occur statewide, they are particularly prevalent in metropolitan areas such as Denver. Notably, while much of the risk of distracted driving accidents is attributed to increased cell phone use, it is actually talking to passengers that presents the greatest risk for causing an accident due to distraction.
Finally, with Denver’s population growing, and with visitors continuing to travel to Denver in record numbers, the increase in traffic means that auto accident rates are increasing as well. By doing their part to stay safe, drivers can reduce their risk of being involved in a collision, and they can make sure they will be able to file a successful insurance claim in the event that they are injured due to someone else’s negligence behind the wheel.
