Colorado police departments have noticed an increase in speeding tickets and reckless driving during stay-at-home orders.
Colorado residents are staying at home in order to slow the spread of COVID-19, leaving usually trafficked roads and highways emptier than ever before. But just because the stay-at-home order is in place, it doesn't mean that officers aren't paying attention to the roads.
With the roads emptier than usual, police have noticed a spike in reckless and speedy drivers.
Colorado State Patrol Trooper Josh Lewis told CBS Denver they have been giving more speeding tickets for driving 40mph and over in the past few weeks than they have in the previous month or in all of January.
The Colorado State Patrol of Golden recently urged citizens to minimize dangerous driving via a Twitter post. The tweet asks drivers to slow down and avoid endangering themselves and others on the road, while posting a speed reading of over 100mph.
We asked nicely yesterday to please minimize the dangerous driving behaviors. Some people didn’t get the message. If you do this you are endangering yourself and everyone else on the road! If you don’t think we are enforcing this you are mistaken! pic.twitter.com/PK6loUjnUO
— CSP Golden (@csp_golden) March 29, 2020
Lakewood is also seeing an increase in drivers speeding and driving without licenses. In a recent tweet, Lakewood Police stated a few examples of reckless driving, including a teenager driving with no license and speeding over 100mph on a highway.
🤦♂️ A 16 year old with no license, but still driving a car over 100 mph on the highway filled with friends and family from our communities. This can’t happen. #StayAtHome pic.twitter.com/5pks9fXMsV
— Lakewood Police (@LakewoodPDCO) March 31, 2020
Thorton Police also shared a reading from their speed gun, which registered 128mph in a 55mph zone.
On April 1, Westminster Police followed suit and posted speed readings ranging between 97 to 103 mph. The post stated that accidents at these speeds can be catastrophic and urged citizens to stay at home and do their part.
Not an April Fools joke, we wish it was. Officers cited drivers at 103, 103, 97 & 97. There are fewer people on the roads, but at these speeds accidents will be catastrophic. Stay home! Slow down! We’re still here working & we will write you the ticket! #wpdstrong #wpdwithyou pic.twitter.com/dZPC5w8pLb
— Westminster Police (@WestminsterPD) April 1, 2020
Local law enforcement and CSP troopers have been considered "essential" workers and have no choice but to stop anyone who is speeding and ticket them. However, they are more worried about the increase in reckless driving and its dangerous consequences.
CSP states accidents of this level will require paramedics and a visit to the hospital that will involve nurses, doctors, and other ER staff workers, who are essential workers required to help reduce the cases of COVID-19.
Stay safe out there, Colorado.
