CDOT partners with farmers markets to raise awareness of pedestrian safety
Images and video footage available here
DENVER – The Colorado Department of Transportation is partnering with local shops and farmers markets to raise awareness of pedestrian safety following the deadliest year on record for pedestrians in Colorado. Last year 93 pedestrians were killed in traffic crashes in Colorado. This is a 79% increase since 2013.
"Ensuring that everyone gets home safely is our top priority,” said Darrell Lingk, Director of the Office of Transportation Safety for the Colorado Department of Transportation. “This campaign encourages motorists to use extra caution around pedestrians by slowing their speed, staying off their phones and never driving impaired.”
The LOCAL at Southlands and Southlands Famers Market will also help their customers spread the pedestrian safety message by giving them specially designed grocery bags.
In addition, CDOT has placed ghost pedestrian silhouettes throughout the market. The life-size silhouettes are eye-catching reminders of the human toll from pedestrian crashes each year.
The LOCAL at Parker, Festival Park Farmers Market and Parker Farmers Market are also involved in the safety effort.
"The LOCAL Colorado is honored to partner with CDOT on this safety initiative,” said Jason Williams, owners of The LOCAL Colorado and Southlands Farmers Market. “Colorado is our home, and where we’ve opened our businesses, and we are invested in the community and making sure our customers and neighbors are all safe.”
To prevent crashes, CDOT is sharing the reminders below for drivers and pedestrians:
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Always use crosswalks
Most crashes occur at non-intersections. The safest place to cross the street is at the intersection crosswalk. Drivers should use extra caution when approaching crosswalks.
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Follow the rules of the road
The crosswalk is a no-car zone and motorists need to stop prior to the crosswalk. Pedestrians should press the crosswalk button, wait for the WALK signal, then look both ways and over their shoulder prior to entering the crosswalk.
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Eliminate distractions while driving and walking
Limit use of cell phones, turn down music and avoid other distractions.
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Use extra caution at nighttime
Pedestrians should remember they are harder to see at night and use extra caution when crossing streets and entering crosswalks.
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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 and acknowledge the other.
CDOT’s Left Behind campaign aims to decrease the number of pedestrian crashes and fatalities in the state. An ad campaign runs through September 30. Left Behind emotionally highlights the aftermath and devastation of a pedestrian crash by focusing on the physical items that many pedestrians leave behind, as well as the family and friends that are left behind. Drivers and walkers will see billboards in highly trafficked areas, on RTD Bus and Rail, at bus shelters and on social media.
Facts and Statistics:
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Pedestrian fatalities in Colorado peaked at 93 last year – an increase from the low of 40 fatalities in 2010. The counties with the most fatalities were Denver (18), El Paso (13) and Adams (12).
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In 2020, pedestrian fatalities represented 15% of all Colorado roadway fatalities, the highest ever recorded.
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To date, there have been 56 pedestrian deaths in 2021. Last year at this time there were 64.
About CDOT
CDOT’s Whole System-Whole Safety program has one simple mission — to get everyone home safely. Our approximately 3,000 employees work tirelessly to reduce the rate and severity of crashes and improve the safety of all modes of transportation. The department manages more than 23,000 lane miles of highway, more than 3,000 bridges and 35 mountain passes. CDOT also manages grant partnerships with a range of agencies, including metropolitan planning organizations, local governments and airports. It also operates Bustang, the state-owned interregional express bus service. Gov. Jared Polis has charged CDOT to further build on the state’s intermodal mobility options.
