>> The Truth About Traffic Accidents

A Message from Sheriff Ted Mink

The Colorado State Patrol (CSP) collects data on the causes and locations of accidents in Jefferson County, as well as demographic information on the at-fault drivers.  Here is a snapshot of traffic issues in unincorporated Jeffco over the last year, based on data collected by the State Patrol. 

Causes
Common causes of accidents are lane violations, excessive speed, following too close and animal interference.  However, the most common cause of accidents, accounting for one-third of all Jeffco crashes, is inattentive driving.  We urge motorists to stay focused on the roadway when behind the wheel.

Age and Gender
Some demographic groups get a bad rap for the way they drive.  Here is some information to help separate fact from fiction.  According to CSP statistics, male drivers caused more accidents than female drivers over the last year, in every age category.  Also, all ages from teens to senior citizens showed relatively equal numbers of crashes, with drivers aged 56 and over causing slightly fewer accidents than everyone else.

High Accident Areas
In the last year, there were 22 fatal accidents in unincorporated Jefferson County.  Our Traffic Unit uses accident location statistics to determine which areas to saturate with extra patrols.  Among the most problematic areas for accidents in the last year were Highway 285, Evergreen Parkway, the Bowles corridor and various locations on Wadsworth Boulevard.

Statistics show that Friday was the worst day for accidents.  On weekdays, morning and evening rush hours show a higher number of accidents than other times of day, while on the weekends the lunch hour was the most dangerous.

Speeding
Speed is a factor in many traffic accidents.  The Traffic Unit recently reported the top five locations to find motorists driving at excessive speeds.  They are: Bowles Avenue at Oak; Highway 285 at Windy Point; the 8400 block of Highway 93; Wadsworth Boulevard at Columbine; and Highway 6 in Clear Creek Canyon, one mile west of tunnel two.  As you can see, high speed areas and high accident areas are often one and the same.

Enforcement and Education
The Traffic Unit is comprised of six officers, usually on motorcycles, who focus solely on traffic enforcement and education.  These deputies determine their areas of focus by studying accident location statistics, and by listening to citizen concerns shared via the KOPS hotline.  The KOPS line, 303-271-KOPS (5677) allows citizens to notify the Sheriff's Office about problem traffic areas.  Deputies spend a significant amount of patrol time working in problem areas identified by residents via the KOPS line.  Traffic issues remain one of the most frequently cited concerns among residents contacting the Sheriff's Office.

Alive at 25
Alive at 25 is a joint venture between the Sheriff's Office and the Colorado State Patrol to get young drivers to adopt safe driving practices, take responsibility for their behavior and to be aware of many of the typical driving hazards. In 2006, Jefferson County deputies began teaching the courses in unincorporated Jefferson County high schools.
 
This summer, as part of the Alive at 25 program, teens are invited to "Take it to the Track" and race at Bandimere Speedway.  The Take it to the Track program gives young people interested in racing a safe environment in which to do so.  We encourage safe racing at Bandimere in place of unsafe street racing.  Sheriff's Office deputies will be at Bandimere several times this summer to give teens some friendly competition.

Message From the Sheriff Archive

Last Modified: Mar 28, 2009 10:17 PM