Motorcyclist deaths are increasing again this year according to preliminary numbers from state officials.
Data from the Colorado Department of Transportation show that through July 20, 58 motorcyclists have died — up from 51 who had died in the same time period last year. That’s a 14 percent increase.
“This is a growing and alarming problem, not just here in Colorado, but nationwide,” Sam Cole, CDOT communications manager of traffic safety, said in a released statement. “A problem in which everyone – both riders and drivers – need to help combat.”
Of the 58 motorcycle riders so far this year, 34 were not wearing helmets, which is a growing problem across the country. The three counties recording the most of those fatalities this year are Jefferson with 10, and Denver and Adams each with seven fatalities.
In all of 2015, motorcycle fatalities had reached “an all-time high” with 105 deaths. Based on data from , that number ranked Colorado 14th in the country for most motorcycle fatalities — down from 15th in 2014 when there were 94 motorcycle deaths in the state.
Traffic in Colorado when officials reported a spike of about 10 percent in the number of traffic deaths compared with 2014. Officials have launched multiple campaigns and efforts to stop that increase including most recently a $5 million system to .
Earlier this year CDOT launched a motorcycle safety campaign encouraging riders to participate in safety training courses. Another, more recent campaign urged drivers to look more closely for motorcycles.
