CDOT signs will show tally of traffic-related deaths

Electronic signs along Colorado highways will now display the number of traffic-related deaths in the state.

It’s part of the Colorado Department of Transportation’s new campaign aimed at reducing traffic-related fatalities. Each Wednesday, electronic signs along the highways will show the year-to-date tally of the number of deaths.

“(This is) way to personalize it, so people realize that these are actually people’s brothers, sisters, mother, fathers and in some cases children,” CDOT spokesman Sam Cole said. “We think by seeing the rise in the fatalities week to week, people will start to become more aware and change their behavior.”

The signs will also display a safety message. This week, the message focuses on buckling up. It displays 13 traffic-related deaths in the state so far this year. Around this time last year, there were 26.

CDOT said last year, there were 545 traffic-related deaths in Colorado, an increase of 11 percent compared to 2014.