Governor Jared Polis has signed into law bipartisan legislation aimed at enhancing safety and improving traffic flow on Colorado’s mountain highways. This new legislation addresses critical issues related to commercial motor vehicles, whose traffic incidents take nearly twice as long to clear compared to passenger vehicle incidents.
Senate Bill 24-100, sponsored by Senator Dylan Roberts (D-Frisco) and Representative Elizabeth Velasco (D-Glenwood Springs), includes several measures designed to improve road safety. The bill authorizes the Colorado Department of Transportation to establish zones with double speeding fines for commercial drivers in Glenwood Canyon and prohibits CMVs from driving in the left lane on specific stretches of I-70, except when lawfully passing. These provisions aim to reduce the frequency of collisions and ensure smoother traffic flow.
Additionally, the law expands the areas where CDOT can require traction equipment and mandates a study to identify additional locations for chain-up stations. This measure aims to prevent accidents caused by inadequately equipped vehicles during adverse weather conditions, thereby minimizing unnecessary highway closures and their economic impact.
The I-70 Coalition was involved in the stakeholder process, seeing an early concept of the bill and providing input on shaping it to benefit the I-70 mountain corridor. Margaret Bowes, Director of the I-70 Coalition, testified that the bill would increase safety, and reduce crashes, road closures and delays.
By implementing these new laws, Colorado aims to significantly reduce the number and severity of accidents involving commercial vehicles. This will help ensure safer travel for residents and visitors alike, as well as minimize the economic disruptions caused by highway closures in the state’s mountainous regions.