Unlike neighborhood streets or roads with sidewalks, designated bike lanes or large shoulders, many highways and rural roadways are not designed for pedestrian use. When pedestrians are present on access-controlled roads, such as highways, they are placing themselves and motorists at great risk and can be ticketed, or worse, injured or killed.
Looking at data from complete years over a five-year period (2019-2023), the Colorado State Patrol investigated 292 crashes involving a person on a roadway where they were not permitted. These crashes resulted in a fatality or serious injury 53.1% of the time.
Looking at this year’s data from January through September 2024, incidents have outpaced 2023. Data from January 1 through September 30, 2024, show a 72% increase in the same time period as 2023. There were 25 pedestrian-involved crashes on interstates and State Highways last year (Jan-Sept) and 43 in 2024 (Jan – Sept).
“Crossing a highway on foot or walking alongside a road that is not designed for pedestrians is extremely dangerous,” said Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “Pedestrians are less likely to survive these collisions. Drivers aren’t expecting to see people on these types of roads, and highway speeds reduce reaction time and require longer stopping distances, leading to devastating collisions if a pedestrian enters a lane or a vehicle fails to maintain proper lane position. Road debris can also be launched from passing vehicles.”
Looking at a five-year period (2019 – 2023) of fatal and injury crashes caused by a pedestrian being in a roadway where not permitted, the five counties included (from highest to lowest):
- Adams County
- Pueblo County
- Douglas County
- Jefferson County
- Boulder County
Narrowing further, the data over this same time period found that the top five roadways for fatal and injury crashes by a pedestrian being in a roadway where not permitted included (from highest to lowest)
- I-25
- H287
- H50
- I-70
- H6
If you see someone in an unsafe situation on a highway, the Colorado State Patrol recommends safely pulling off the highway, parking and calling 9-1-1 for assistance.
If your vehicle breaks down and you cannot exit the highway first, pull off the road as far as possible, put your hazard lights on, and call for help. If you can place yourself safely on the opposite side of a guardrail or up on a hill, exit the car on the non-traffic side and move to the safest possible location. If you can't call for help and need to walk, go to the nearest exit or safe location by walking, facing traffic as close to the edge of the road as safely as possible.
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ABOUT THE COLORADO STATE PATROL
Since our origin in 1935, the Colorado State Patrol (CSP) has focused on preserving human life and protecting property within our communities. Our 1,100 members embody the core values of Honor, Duty, and Respect in their daily jobs. In addition to our expertise in motor vehicle safety on the state’s roadways, the CSP is responsible for the Governor and other dignitaries’ protection, commercial motor vehicle enforcement, hazardous materials, homeland security, communications, investigative services, criminal interdiction, community education, aviation operations, and more.