Colorado Recognizes October as National Pedestrian Safety Month

October is a time of the year when more people are outside walking and enjoying the brisk fall weather. It is also the month of trick-or-treating when countless children and adults take to the streets on Halloween in search of good times and tasty treats. 

October, then, is the perfect month for Colorado and other states to highlight pedestrian safety.

During National Pedestrian Safety Month, which runs from October 1 to October 31, Colorado is helping both drivers and pedestrians alike to learn how to avoid collisions and wrecks. 

Responsibility for avoiding these potentially fatal accidents falls on both pedestrians and motorists, so it is helpful for both groups to consider how to make Colorado’s roads safer for all.

Pedestrian Accident Statistics

The Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) estimated that 7,485 pedestrians lost their lives in accidents in 2021. 

According to the GHSA, this number represents the highest number of pedestrians killed in a single year in 40 years. These numbers translate into 20 pedestrian deaths per day, or about one pedestrian death occurring every hour.

In Colorado alone, a total of 93 pedestrians died in 2020, according to the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. This was an all-time high number for the state.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) identifies alcohol as a leading contributing factor to fatal pedestrian crashes. Alcohol consumption by either a motorist or a pedestrian occurred in 46% of fatal pedestrian accidents. 

Other factors include speed, location, and time of day. More pedestrian deaths occur at night and on urban roads where drivers are traveling at higher speeds.

The CDC’s statistics also identify the elderly and young children as being especially at risk of death from pedestrian accidents. Adults over the age of 64 represented 20% of all pedestrian fatalities in 2020. Similarly, of all the deaths of children under the age of 15 years in 2020, 20% of them were pedestrians involved in crashes.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a pedestrian accident, the experienced injury team at Mann & Maximon is available to help. Contact our firm immediately to safeguard your legal rights and to pursue compensation for your injuries.

Safety Suggestions for Pedestrians

Pedestrians, too, play a role in their own safety. Some believe that pedestrians always have the right of way and all traffic must yield to pedestrians in every circumstance. While this is false, even if it were true, not every motorist will see you and yield in time.

If you set out on foot around town, keep the following in mind:

Wear Easily Visible Clothing

You are not as easily visible as a car or truck, so assist motorists in seeing you by wearing clothing that can be readily seen. 

A brightly colored jacket or shirt can help you stand out against your background, especially at night. If you are out walking at night but do not have any bright clothing available, consider carrying a flashlight or headlamp with you.

Look Both Ways Before Crossing the Street

Your mother’s advice is sound even in adulthood — before you step onto the street, look for traffic and wait until cars have passed before continuing on your way. Even if the law says you have the right of way, do not assume that motorists see you or know Colorado’s right of way laws.

Avoid Distractions While Walking on or near Roadways

Just like motorists, pedestrians who use cell phones to make calls, check text messages, or listen to music can become distracted and unaware of their surroundings. 

This can lead to unintentionally walking into traffic or crossing the street when it is not safe to do so. It also makes it harder for you to hear a car’s horn or other signals of danger and react in an appropriate and timely manner.

Safety Is Everyone’s Responsibility

National Pedestrian Safety Month is an opportunity for all Colorado residents to commit themselves to reducing the number of pedestrian fatalities in the state. 

Many pedestrian accidents can be avoided through the exercise of ordinary care and caution. When both motorists and pedestrians alike commit to being more careful, you can reasonably expect the number of pedestrian accidents and deaths to decrease.