With the arrival of warmer temperatures, Colorado streets are becoming more bustling with pedestrians and bicyclists. Yet this uptick in foot and bike traffic brings about a pressing reminder from the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) for heightened vigilance on the roads. The state has seen 21 pedestrian and cyclist fatalities this year, a statistic that, despite being 38% lower than the same period last year, still calls for serious attention.
According to CDOT, these figures are alarming, especially when viewed against a stark increase of 78% in pedestrian and bicyclist deaths since 2015. The year 2024 marked a particularly grim milestone as the second-deadliest on record for these vulnerable road users (VRUs), with 134 fatalities. In light of these concerns, CDOT's Office of Transportation Safety Director, Darrell Lingk, issued a statement urging all drivers to "refrain from speeding, using their phones and driving impaired."
CDOT is pressing the importance of abiding by Colorado's VRU Safety Laws, which outline specific guidelines for drivers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. These policies are in place to foster safer shared roads, like the law stating that drivers must yield to pedestrians at all marked crosswalks or how bicyclists have the rights akin to passenger vehicles, yet must yield to pedestrians when on a sidewalk. CDOT's latest campaign reminds residents that following these laws is not optional but essential to reduce the number of tragic incidents on the roads.
Driving behavior, as CDOT highlights, plays a crucial role in the safety of all road users. Their message comes backed by sobering data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, revealing how pedestrian death risk jumps to 10% at an impact speed of 23 mph, and it skyrockets to 90% at 58 mph. By obeying speed limits and staying vigilant, drivers can dramatically reduce the probability of fatal outcomes in the event of a collision. Additional details on these vital guidelines are found in both the Colorado Revised Statutes and the CDOT Bicycling Manual, resources that offer extensive safety tips for all parties sharing the road.
