Fatal commercial motor vehicle crashes see a downward trend in Colorado

COLORADO, USA (KRDO)-- New data from Colorado State Patrol (CSP) is finding a downward trend in fatal commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes. 

There was a steady increase in CMV-caused fatal crashes between 2018 and 2021, with the State experiencing a five-year high in 2021. Since then, the State has seen a decrease each year.

According to CSP, in 2022, Colorado saw 64 fatal crashes involving a CMV. By October 11, 2023, the State had experienced 43 fatal crashes involving a CMV, a reduction of 8.5%. 

The Colorado roadway with the largest number of CMV-related crashes, according to CSP, remains on I-70 with the I-70 mountain corridor being the most significant area of focus. 

The leading factors in the I-70 mountain corridor for CMV crashes are lane violations and speed–coming in as a close second.

Some of the enforcement strategies being implemented by the CSP to reduce CMV crashes this year include:

• Focusing its CMV-enforcement efforts this fall and winter on the I-70 corridor with emphasis on known trouble areas which are:
  • Floyd Hill
  • Eisenhower-Johnson Memorial Tunnel grade
  • Vail Pass
  • Glenwood Canyon

• Focusing on leading crash causal factors, including speed.
• High-visibility CMV enforcement efforts in and around Glenwood Canyon. 
• Routine “chain check” enforcements and other multi-day operations throughout the year.