As the new commander of the Weld County Sheriff's Office Traffic Division, I am responsible for a number of traffic duties as well as supervising deputies assigned to the division. I am used to receiving many phone calls on a routine basis from citizens for various reasons: complaints, questions or just someone who is angry because they got a traffic ticket. However, the calls that I can never get used to are the ones informing me Weld County has had another traffic fatality.

In recent weeks, I have received this phone call too many times, and it produces the same reaction: sadness and anger. I am extremely saddened because I know that the process of notifying loved ones will begin. I know the effect of a traffic death is devastating to a family.

After a traffic fatality, we try to identify the cause and implement enforcement that may prevent this type of crash from happening again. On many occasions, investigations reveal that some crashes should never have happened.

I get angered and frustrated when I find out that a majority of the crashes could have been prevented or avoided. Recently, a few accident causes in particular have stood out: violations of traffic-control devices and impaired drivers.

Failing to stop at stop signs, not coming to complete stops, or failing to yield right-of-way to oncoming traffic all produce tragic results. These can all be avoided by simply obeying existing laws.

We have grown up being informed at an early age through the media about the tragic results of mixing alcohol or drugs with driving. But many people continue to make an extremely BAD decision by getting behind the wheel of a vehicle while impaired. I find it amazing that in this day and age many people seem to find it perfectly acceptable to climb behind the wheel of their 2,000-pound projectile and launch themselves down the roadway toward other unsuspecting motorists.

There are many causes of crashes that we can and do enforce. But there aren't enough officers to cover every road in Colorado, nor would most citizens be willing to pay for it. Frankly, no matter how many officers we put on the roads, we cannot be in the car with you, and you as a driver must take responsibility.

We continue to implore everyone to drive responsibly and defensively. Traffic control devices are specifically designed for your safety on the road. We also strongly encourage you to attempt to minimize your distractions, such as cell phones, which hinder concentration. Please give your undivided attention to driving.

We know that we cannot prevent every fatality, but we will continue to enforce traffic laws and respond to tragic crashes. Historically, Weld County is the deadliest county in Colorado when it comes to traffic deaths, and traffic crashes are the No.1 threat to public safety.

By driving safely, defensively, soberly and through using your seatbelts, you can greatly reduce the possibility of being involved in a crash. I will never get used to receiving those calls reporting another traffic death, and to those of us in law enforcement, each traffic-related death is one too many.

Paul Wood has worked for the Weld County Sheriff's Office for more than 13 years. He was one of the four deputies originally assigned to the Sheriff's Office Traffic Unit.