Did you know that 2015 was a particularly rough year for motorcyclists in Colorado? There were 105 motorcyclist fatalities last year—it was an “all-time” record for our state. Many were hoping that 2016 would be a different story, but new numbers have come out, and things aren’t looking good.

Are Colorado Motorcyclist Deaths Increasing Again?

This time last year had seen 51 riders die in motorcycle crashes here in Colorado. This year, 58 have riders have died—a 14 percent increase—and The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) is searching for a solution. It’s a solution the entire nation needs at the moment.

Traffic fatalities are up 7.7 percent over the entire nation. And motorcycle crash fatalities are up by 10 percent since 2014. That means that rider deaths are up everywhere, but experts are still struggling with the cause.

Why Have Crashes Increased?

Gas prices fell significantly in 2015, and experts believe this resulted in more cars on the road. Combine that with the distraction mobile devices have been causing, and analysts think you’ll find the real cause of rising traffic fatalities all over the country. For now, more time and research is needed, but that won’t stop safety efforts.

Officials at CDOT want to remind drivers to look twice for motorcycles. And they also want more riders to go out and try a rider safety course. But there are even more ways you can increase your safety while riding your motorcycle. To learn more, keep following our motorcycle safety blog, and share your ideas on Twitter and Facebook.