Despite decline, CDOT says pedestrian death rates are ‘alarmingly high’

DENVER (KDVR) — The amount of pedestrian deaths on Colorado roads set a new record last year. Despite a decrease so far this year, the Colorado Department of Transportation is urging drivers and pedestrians to use extra caution as the days get shorter this fall.

“October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and CDOT is urging both drivers and pedestrians to be alert and use extra caution, especially as we head into periods with less daylight and pedestrian fatalities tend to increase,” CDOT said in a release.

Pedestrian fatalities have been increasing in recent years and now account for 19% of all traffic deaths. According to CDOT, pedestrian deaths have increased by 161% in the last decade, and 77% since 2018. Last year, according to CDOT, 136 pedestrians were hit and killed by drivers in Colorado, setting a new record for the state.

There has been a decline in pedestrian deaths in the state so far this year, with CDOT reporting 72 pedestrian deaths in the first nine months of 2024 compared to 96 deaths during the same period last year. Still, CDOT said that number is “alarmingly high.”

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Young children at high risk of being hit

Each week in the United States, 110 children are hit by vehicles in parking lots and driveways, according to the nonprofit Kids and Car Safety .

“Colorado statistics align with national trends reported by Kids and Car Safety, where children younger than 5 are at the most risk for backover and frontover collisions. Toddlers are walking/running at this age, testing the limits and trying new things. However, they do not understand the danger of vehicles and can be very impulsive,” the Colorado State Patrol said in a press release Tuesday.

CSP released data showing that from 2019 to 2023, children 0-4 were twice as likely to be hit by a car than the next older age group. During that period, the agency said it investigated 28 pedestrian crashes involving kids 0-4 years old, and 14 pedestrian crashes involving kids 5-9 years old.

Some factors that CSP said put young kids at higher risk of being hit by cars include a lack of driver awareness, blind spots, and unpredictability of children’s behavior.

One thing that CSP said can be predictable relates to Bye Bye Syndrome, which is where children don’t like to say goodbye. Kids will often follow a relative or loved one outside without them knowing, and then hide behind the vehicle . Similarly, kids have been known to run into the driveway to greet a returning relative or loved one, sometimes darting in front of vehicles before the driver can stop.

CSP said some ways to help prevent these crashes include installing a child lock to prevent kids from running outside unsupervised, installing a 360-degree crash avoidance system or installing a backup camera.

“All drivers should check around their vehicle and be aware of any nearby children before backing out of a parking space or driveway. It’s also a good idea to roll your window down slightly so that you can hear if someone is yelling at you to stop,” CSP said.

Pedestrian crashes are more likely in the fall, winter months

The dangers of pedestrian crashes increase as the days get shorter and darker. CDOT reports that fall and winter are the deadliest times of the year for pedestrians. Last year, 58% of pedestrian deaths occurred during the fall and winter, and 78% of deadly pedestrian crashes happened at night or in low-light conditions.

According to the National Weather Service, sunrises are getting about a minute later each day in Denver, and the sun is setting two to three minutes earlier. By the end of October, the sun will set before 6 p.m. When daylight saving time ends in early November, the sun will be setting before 5 p.m. in Denver.

With the days getting shorter, CDOT is urging both drivers and pedestrians to be extra cautious and offers these tips:

Safety tips for pedestrians:

• Walk on sidewalks whenever possible.
• Cross streets at crosswalks or intersections.
• Stay off your phone when crossing the street.
• 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.
• Watch for cars entering or exiting driveways or backing up in parking lots.

Safety tips for drivers:

• Watch for pedestrians and bicyclists everywhere, at all times, and especially in areas near schools, parks, shopping areas and transit stops.
• Put the phone down and avoid distractions that take your attention off the road.
• Follow the speed limit — speeding motorists endanger everyone on the road but put pedestrians at the greatest risk of death or serious injury.
• Stop before a crosswalk, not in it.
• Never drive impaired.
• Slow down and be prepared to stop when turning or entering a crosswalk.
• At night, reduce your speed and make sure your headlights are on.

“The persistent rise in fatalities calls for immediate and sustained action from all drivers and pedestrians in Colorado,” CDOT Executive Director Shoshana Lew said. “It’s up to all of us to  make choices that protect our most vulnerable road users and create an environment where no one has to fear for their life simply because they need to cross the street.”

Right of way reminder

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office is also reminding drivers and pedestrians to take an extra few seconds to make sure their path of travel is clear.

The sheriff’s office posted a video on Facebook showing an incident where a driver turned on a flashing yellow signal, almost in the path of two cyclists, including a child, who were in the crosswalk.

“The cyclists had the right-of-way. The driver is responsible for ensuring the path is clear before they turn; this means that no one is in the crosswalk,” the sheriff’s office wrote.

The sheriff’s office said that drivers thinking they can make it through before pedestrians or cyclists cross is a “huge safety risk that no one should take.”

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