Colorado State Patrol Spotlights Over 880 Secondary Crashes Since 2021, Urges Vigilance on Highways

The dangers of the roads are not limited to the aftermath of the first collision you pass. During Crash Responder Safety Week, the Colorado State Patrol is highlighting the dismal reality of secondary crashes, or accidents that follow from another incident.

It is clear that this is not an uncommon event, since the Colorado State Patrol has documented over 880 secondary crashes since 2021. These collisions, which peak between November and January, frequently take place under clear skies as well, not just in Colorado’s hazardous weather. Despite the Patrol’s efforts to reduce these instances, their data from 2021 to November 2024 shows that a sizable portion—35%—did take place under unfavorable weather circumstances like fog or snow.

There are several sections of Colorado roadways where you may want to exercise extra caution. With a startling 330 secondary crashes, data identify Interstate 25 as a hotspot, followed by Interstate 70 (208), I-76 (29), Highway C470 (26), and Highway 24 (20). First responders are well aware of the risks they encounter when working at collision scenes, according to Colorado State Patrol Chief Col. Matthew C. Packard. “Despite how long it can feel to motorists caught in traffic related to a crash,” he underlined, “they work to investigate thoroughly and clear a scene as quickly as possible,” according to the Colorado State Patrol.

Human error is a major cause of secondary crashes, according to the research, and the top three offenders include speeding, following too closely, and inattention, which frequently manifests as distracted driving. The ‘Colorado Move Over’ statute is a noteworthy example of this, as it further emphasized rights for emergency responders in its subsequent amendment in August 2023. In Colorado, drivers are now required to move over one lane when they spot an emergency vehicle, or slow down to a safe speed of 25 mph in a 40 mph zone, or by at least 20 mph where the speed limit is 45 mph or higher, if that is not feasible.

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