Nearly 60% of pedestrian deaths in Colorado occurred during the fall and winter months over the past five years
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Statewide — National Pedestrian Safety Month begins Oct. 1, and the Colorado Department of Transportation and Colorado State Patrol urge pedestrians and drivers alike to practice increased caution and share the road.
September brings one of the year’s fastest declines in daylight, with Denver losing roughly 70 minutes over the course of the month. As days become shorter, more morning and evening travel takes place in lower-light conditions. Over the past five years, nearly 60% of all pedestrian fatalities in Colorado occurred between September and February.
To demonstrate this, CDOT, CSP and safety advocates gathered at sunset yesterday to highlight how drivers must heighten their awareness as daylight quickly fades. Between just 6:50 p.m. and 7:05 p.m., CDOT Traffic Safety Communications Manager Tamara Rollison’s visibility noticeably decreased.
“Pedestrian fatalities are down 24% compared with this time last year. While this is promising, troopers want to remind pedestrians and drivers that even one fatality is too many,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Wearing bright clothing and using crosswalks as a pedestrian or using your headlights and obeying the speed limit as a driver are simple ways to increase safety as daylight saving time comes to an end.”
“As we prepare for fall and winter, remember that it’s the responsibility of all road users to look out for one another,” said CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew. “CDOT encourages all road users — whether you’re a driver, pedestrian, biker or rider — to protect themselves and one another on our roadways. Darker rush hours should never be the reason someone doesn’t make it home safely.”
Safety Reminders for Drivers Around Pedestrians
- Stop before the crosswalk, never in it. You are legally required to yield to pedestrians in crosswalks
- When the light turns green, go slow, check your surroundings and proceed with caution
- Try to make eye contact with pedestrians to ensure it's safe to continue through the intersection
- Before making a turn, remember to:
- Always use your turn signal and slow down
- Come to a complete stop at red lights
- Check for pedestrians and yield before proceeding
- At night, reduce your speed and use headlights, especially in areas with poor street lighting.
- Avoid cellphone use and other distractions, obey speed limits and never drive impaired
- Always yield to pedestrians and slow down, especially in urban areas
Safety Reminders for Pedestrians Around Drivers
- Use sidewalks whenever available, and cross streets at crosswalks or intersections. It is illegal to cross outside of a crosswalk when between adjacent, signalized intersections
- Stay off your phone when crossing the street
- At crosswalks, try to make eye contact or nod to a driver to confirm they see you before you cross
- Look for cars in all directions, including those turning left or right
- Avoid alcohol and drugs when walking; they impair your abilities and your judgment
- At night, wear light colors and walk where streetlights will illuminate you
- Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.
Learn more about bicycle and pedestrian safety at codot.gov/programs/bikeped.
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