Colorado State Patrol responded to over 400 crashes on U.S. Highway 40 between Steamboat Springs and Craig in the last four years, according to Troop 4B’s Capt. Ryan Parker.

Nearly half of those crashes are animal-caused, said Parker, but other major contributing causes are speeding, inattentive driving, impaired driving and lane violations.

In 2024, U.S. Highway 40 in Routt and Moffat counties saw a total of four fatal crashes, resulting in six fatalities this year according to Colorado State Patrol’s Vehicular Crimes Analyst Unit’s Crash and Contact Map. 

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This number is two fewer than last year, with six fatal crashes, resulting in seven total fatalities. 

Both years are a jump in comparison to previous years, with only one fatal crash in the counties in both 2021 and 2022.

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One of the major causes for the rise in fatal crashes is the sheer number of commuters driving on U.S. 40 between Craig and Steamboat in a day.

According to Parker, the average number of commuters driving between Craig and Steamboat in a day was about 5,150 in 2021. 

In 2024, that number rose to 5,700 commuters, nearly 600 more than three years ago.

“The volume of commuters in a single day definitely contributes to increased crashes,” said Parker. “There’s been increased risk-taking, too. People don’t like to be slowed down during their commute, so they make risky decisions because they’re in too much of a hurry.”

According to the Colorado State Patrol’s Vehicular Crimes Analyst Unit’s Crash and Contact Map, about 22 crashes of the approximately 113 total crashes reported on U.S. 40 in Routt and Moffat counties resulted in moderate to severe injury in 2024.

In comparison, around 26 crashes of the approximately 135 reported crashes resulted in moderate to severe injury in 2023. However, the map only accounts for at-fault drivers and vehicles.

“In the last two years, lane violations have been one of the primary causes for a lot of injury and fatal crashes,” said Parker. “People are driving more dangerously, like passing on double yellows and driving in a hurry, which leads to head-on collisions.” 

Colorado State Patrol Troop 4B, which covers Routt, Moffat, Jackson, Grand and Rio Blanco counties, made a point of preventing head-on collisions last year.

The troop focused on increasing its presence on the roads to enforce good driving habits, bringing down the number of head-on fatal crashes in all five counties from nine in 2023 to four in 2024.

According to Parker, the troop paid special attention to U.S. Highway 40 between Steamboat Springs and Craig as well as Colorado State Highway 9 between Kremmling and Silverthorn. 

“Whether it’s morning commuter traffic or evening commuter traffic, it’s important to have a trooper (on U.S. 40),” said Parker. “Having troopers and officers from other partnered agencies out there also helps with visibility and enforcement.”

Colorado State Patrol hopes to decrease state-wide injury and fatality accidents by 15% in 2025, said Parker, and Troop 4B is planning on targeting impaired driving to help the initiative.

In 2023, there were 16,259 DUI arrests made in Colorado, according to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation’s Colorado crime statistics. Individuals 25-34 years old were more frequently arrested compared to other age groups.

Of those screened for drugs, 18% of drivers tested positive for multiple substances, most often alcohol in combination with delta-9 THC, according to a report published by the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice.

According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, there were 218 fatalities due to impaired driving in the state in 2023.

Parker stated that troops uses reckless and impaired driving reports from other drivers to help keep roads safe.

By dialing *CSP, or *277, drivers are connected to a state patrol dispatcher and can provide real-time information on a reckless or impaired driver.

“I have my troopers follow up on those reports,” said Parker. “If we can get a description of a vehicle and a license plate number, we can stop those cars and eliminate those dangerous driving actions when it happens.”

Parker hopes that every driver will recognize the importance of practicing good driving habits and taking safety into their own hands.

By slowing down, paying attention and avoiding driving during rush hours when possible, U.S. 40 will be safer for everyone.

“People don’t like driving in bumper-to-bumper traffic,” said Parker. “If drivers can leave a little earlier or later to avoid rush hours, it eliminates a little bit of that stress of getting pushed by someone behind them and pushing someone ahead of them.” 

Parker also emphasized the importance of wearing seatbelts at all times, even if the drive is short.

According to Parker, the majority of injury crashes that troop responds to consist of someone in the vehicle not wearing a seatbelt. 

“It’s so important to wear a seatbelt,” said Parker. “Seatbelts save lives.”

To continue to practice road safety throughout the winter months, Parker recommends drivers make a plan and be prepared for winter weather.

Before getting in the car, drivers are encouraged to check the Colorado Department of Transportation’s COtrip map for up-to-date road conditions.

“Things can happen fast,” said Parker. “Slow down, give yourself extra time, pay attention and always wear your seatbelt.”