Motorcycle safety campaign launch

Traffic Safety Pulse News

Helmets are too restrictive

On the heels of the deadliest year on record for motorcyclists, CDOT held a press conference to launch their new campaign aimed at keeping motorcyclists safe. May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, which coincides with the beginning of the riding season in the state. Last year, there were 137 motorcyclists killed on Colorado roadways, more than any year on record, and a 33% increase from 2019 when there were 103 motorcyclists killed.

New data shows that 52% of motorcycle riders killed in 2019 were not wearing helmets. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that 83 motorcyclists' lives could have been saved in Colorado between 2015-2017 if all riders had worn helmets. Instead, 334 motorcyclists were killed during that period, most not wearing helmets.

The new Aftermath campaign underscores the importance of wearing a helmet. The campaign dispels misconceptions about wearing a helmet, such as they are too restrictive, by showing the devastating consequences of not wearing one. The campaign will run across the state on digital media, billboards and on social media.