Along with tailgating, excessive speeding and running red lights, drivers who fail to legally pass create a hazard for themselves and other roadway users. Whether overtaking another vehicle in a marked no-passing zone or failing to leave a proper distance between vehicles, serious crashes can and do occur from unsafe passing.
Over the last five years, Colorado State troopers have averaged investigating 23 crashes each year resulting from unsafe passing that caused injuries or death. However, in 2025, troopers saw a slight bump up and investigated 26.
“When a driver allows frustration or impatience to determine their actions, troopers frequently see an uptick in aggressive and dangerous maneuvers,” stated Chief Matthew C. Packard of the Colorado State Patrol. “Weaving in and out of traffic or taking a chance to pass when it is clearly marked not to do that is mind-blowing. What could possibly be that important to roll the dice with your life? And, chances are, you will take an innocent person with you if you collide with another vehicle.”
While there are many behaviors that indicate aggressive driving or a road rage situation, some examples of improper passing include:
• Overtaking a no-passing zone.
• Passing on a blind curve.
• Cutting off another vehicle after passing.
• Passing when oncoming traffic is too close.
Looking at five years of Colorado State Patrol crash data on unsafe passing, the most deadly and dangerous (injury-causing) crashes occur between noon and 6 p.m., with the peak hour being 3 p.m.
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