State agencies aim to reduce traffic deaths to zero

Colorado agencies aim to reduce traffic fatalities to zero as part of a new initiative announced Monday.

The new initiative, “Moving Towards Zero Deaths,” is part of the state’s efforts to improve highway safety. It aims to protect everyone who uses Colorado’s transportation networks – drivers, passengers, bikers and pedestrians.

During its announcement Monday, Gov. John Hickenlooper said it was a fresh new way to deliver the message. Organizers want to emphasize the seriousness of even just one traffic death.

“Even one death is unacceptable,” DRIVE SMART Colorado Executive Director Maile Gray said. “All of the traffic crashes that occur are preventable.”

Organizers plan on using enforcement, education and other tools to accomplish their goal. They said they know it’ll take time. For starters, they hope to reduce traffic deaths to 416 by 2019. In 2014, there were 480 traffic deaths in Colorado.

“This is obviously not something that’s going to occur overnight, but honestly it is attainable,” Gray said. “People just need to drive responsibly, not distracted, not drunk and impaired on drugs. It is attainable.”