CDOT Remembers Pedestrians Killed with Display of 76 Shoes Left Behind Campaign Launches Today
Campaign materials, images and video/b-roll available here.
DENVER – The Colorado Department of Transportation and Denver Streets Partnership joined today at Union Station to remember the 76 pedestrians who lost their lives in 2019, while also reminding drivers to use caution near pedestrians on Colorado roads.
“CDOT strives to keep all Coloradoans safe on our roadways, whether they are driving or walking,” said CDOT Traffic Safety Manager Sam Cole. “During the summer months more people are out walking so it’s important we all use extra caution and do our part to ensure everyone gets home safely.”
To further raise awareness about pedestrian safety, today CDOT also launched its latest safety campaign, Left Behind, which aims to decrease the number of pedestrian crashes in the state. Left Behind emotionally highlights the aftermath and devastation of a pedestrian crash by focusing on the personal belongings left behind after a pedestrian crash. The campaign will be featured on billboards in Colorado Springs and the Denver Metro area. It will also appear on RTD Bus and Rail, at bus shelters and on social media statewide.
Billboard located in Denver east of Cherry St. off of Colfax.
“Streets connect us and can foster health, happiness and opportunity, but only if they are safe places for everyone," said Jill Locantore, executive director of Denver Streets Partnership. "This is a powerful campaign that has the potential to significantly raise awareness about the importance of pedestrian safety."
To date in 2020, there have been 47 pedestrian deaths on Colorado roadways. The top five counties are El Paso (nine fatalities), Denver (eight fatalities), Adams and Jefferson (seven each), and Arapahoe (five fatalities). Other counties with pedestrian deaths in 2020 include: Larimer County (two fatalities), Weld County (one fatality), Pueblo County (one fatality), Delta, Garfield, Montezuma and Pitkin (one each).
“In 2018, our son Gavin was on his way home from fishing with friends when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver,” said Melissa Myers. “Since Gavin’s tragic and senseless death, our family, friends, and community have been advocating for the safety of pedestrians because no family should ever have to bury their loved one at the hand of a careless or distracted driver. We’re sharing our story in hopes that it will help save more lives.”
Facts and Statistics:
- In 2019, there were 76 pedestrian fatalities in Colorado, up from 40 fatalities in 2010.
- In 2019, pedestrian fatalities represented nearly 13% of all Colorado roadway fatalities.
- According to NHTSA, in 2018 more than two-thirds (69%) of the pedestrians killed in traffic crashes were males.
CDOT reminds roadway users to follow the below safety tips:
- Eliminate distractions while driving
This includes using cell phones, eating or turning to talk to passengers.
- Reduce speed
Reducing your speed on busy streets can greatly improve pedestrian safety.
- Make eye contact or nod
Eye contact and/or a quick nod is an easy way to confirm that both the driver and pedestrian see each other at intersections.
- Always use crosswalks
Most crashes occur at non-intersections. Drivers should use extra caution when approaching a crosswalk.
- Follow the rules of the road
The crosswalk is a no-car zone and motorists should stop prior to the crosswalk.
Time of day is also a factor in pedestrian crashes, with nighttime posing a significantly higher risk. At night, drivers should turn on headlights and slow down. Pedestrians should remember they are harder to see at night and use extra caution when crossing streets and entering crosswalks.
CDOT pedestrian safety efforts are part of CDOT’s Whole System – Whole Safety campaign which aims to reduce fatalities and injuries and “Bring everyone home safely.”
COVID-19
Safe transportation infrastructure is essential for all of us, particularly for emergency first responders and freight drivers as Colorado navigates the COVID-19 pandemic. With that in mind, CDOT maintenance and construction crews follow social distancing and other health safety measures to reduce COVID-19 exposure on the worksite. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment announced guidelines for construction activities. The public is urged to join the campaign for #DoingMyPartCO by practicing social distancing and wearing face masks. As traffic returns to normal levels, motorists must drive cautiously and heed the speed limit so all of us can return home safely.
WHOLE SYSTEM. WHOLE SAFETY.
In early 2019, CDOT announced its Whole System — Whole Safety initiative to heighten safety awareness. This initiative takes a systematic, statewide approach to safety combining the benefits of CDOT’s programs that address driving behaviors, our built environment and the organization's operations. The goal is to improve the safety of Colorado’s transportation network by reducing the rate and severity of crashes and improving the safety of all transportation modes. The program has one simple mission—to get everyone home safely.
ABOUT CDOT
CDOT has approximately 3,000 employees located at its Denver headquarters and in regional offices throughout Colorado and manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway and 3,429 bridges. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of other agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also administers Bustang, the state-owned and operated interregional express service. Governor Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.
