(COLO) – As school-aged children return to the classroom, the Colorado State Patrol reminds drivers to stay alert and watch for pedestrians on foot and bicycles. According to statewide statistics, 2022 was a record-setting year for pedestrian fatalities with preliminary numbers estimating that 21.7% of Colorado traffic fatalities (754 total fatalities) were pedestrians.
This has prompted the Colorado State Patrol to launch a three-month campaign, “Look Again, CO!” directed towards pedestrians and drivers to educate and build awareness about safety around school zones, crosswalks and all forms of roadways. A particularly important message to motorists will focus on speeding in neighborhoods and areas designated for pedestrians. Troopers will be providing banners for schools to hang in their crosswalk areas.
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“Neighborhoods and school zones have lower speed limits for good reason; lives are at risk,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “There is no contest between a vehicle and a person on foot or bicycle. Drivers have to stay alert and watch for the unexpected.”
Looking at fatal and injury crashes involving pedestrians investigated by the Colorado State Patrol, August was the peak month for pedestrian crashes in 2022. Wednesday through Saturday had the most pedestrian crashes with the highest frequency of crashes occurring during the 7 a.m. hour, the typical lunch hours 11 – noon, and the 7 p.m. hour.
In addition to building awareness for motorists, troopers in the Colorado State Patrol’s Community Outreach Unit will visit schools and attend community events from August through October to educate the public about safe pedestrian behaviors.
Troopers continue to take a low-tolerance approach to the top fatal crash factors, including lane violations while launching a yearlong campaign called “Drive Safe.” This campaign reminds people to control their lane position based on their current driving environment.
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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.