(COLORADO) — In accordance with National Pedestrian Month, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) issued a few 2024 statistics to remind Coloradans to do their part in sharing the state’s roads and highways.
According to CSP crash data, troopers responded to 219 pedestrian-involved crashes in Colorado in 2024, a 25% increase from 2023.
The most common citation involving pedestrians issued by CSP troopers was failing to yield the right-of-way to a pedestrian at a crosswalk, with 31 citations in 2024, a 24% increase from the previous year. This doesn’t mean that the fault is solely on the drivers. CSP reports that the number of citations with pedestrians at fault increased dramatically since 2021, with several categories doubling or even tripling in three years.
“Safety is a shared responsibility,” Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol, said in an official release. “It’s easy to point the finger at drivers, because there is no contest on who would suffer the most in a crash. However, they are not always responsible for these crashes.”
2021 vs 2024 Top CSP Citations Involving Pedestrians
Offense description20212024Pedestrian Failed to Obey Traffic Control Signal1113Pedestrian Disregarded Traffic Control Device1130Pedestrian Failed to Cross Roadway as Required723Pedestrian Solicited Rides in the Roadway52Pedestrian Failed to walk/ride along/upon Roadway as Required723Pedestrian Suddenly walked/ran/rode bicycle into Path of Vehicle816Pedestrian on Highway Under the Influence of Alcohol or Controlled Substance615Rode Bicycle/Electrical Assisted Bicycle/Electric Scooter in a Careless Manner011
CSP says that crashes involving pedestrians or cyclists investigated by state troopers most often occur on neighborhood streets or rural roads. Monday and Thursday had the most pedestrian or bicycle crashes, with CSP reporting double-digit crash numbers every hour from 7 a.m. through 8 p.m. on those days.
“If you are walking, running, or riding, please stay alert,” said Chief Packard. “Do not allow technology to distract you, and make eye contact with the drivers around you before you step out into the crosswalk. Look, listen, and watch out for each other!”
