Following a tragic Sunday, which saw the loss of four lives in separate crashes involving pedestrians and cyclists in the Denver metro area, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has stepped forward to issue a stark reminder about road safety. According to Colorado State Patrol, the fatalities, which all occurred within an eight-hour period on May 18, were described as preventable, underscoring a critical concern as warmer months bring more people outdoors.
Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol, was quoted emphasizing the collective responsibility of road users, "Sunday’s pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities were preventable and should be a wake-up call for all of us," he said, as per Colorado State Patrol. CSP's concerns are heightened by the fact that pedestrian and bicycle fatalities in Colorado have skyrocketed to quickly increasing by 78% since 2015, laying bare a troubling trend that requires immediate attention.
In response to the surge in pedestrian and bicycle deaths, CSP is actively reminding drivers to take several precautionary steps. These include reducing speed upon approaching crosswalks, ensuring that headlights are on after dark, driving sober, avoiding distractions, and strictly adhering to speed limits. As for pedestrians and cyclists, CSP recommends the use of sidewalks, designated crosswalks, and bike lanes, while also stressing the importance of avoiding distractions and the critical act of making eye contact with drivers to ensure visibility and mutual awareness on the road.
CSP also encourages the public to aid in the ongoing investigations of the hit-and-run crashes by contacting the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers with any information. Pedestrians and cyclists are likewise urged to protect themselves by not to loosely assume they have the right of way, but rather, to ensure they are seen by making eye contact with drivers before crossing streets or riding through intersections.
