Change won’t happen until drivers slow down and take responsibility
Walking in Colorado should not come with a risk of death. Yet year after year, pedestrians continue to pay the price for driver negligence. State data shows pedestrian fatalities have risen 88 percent since 2015, a sharp increase that has alarmed safety officials and devastated communities. The Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) and Bicycle Colorado have launched a new awareness campaign to address the growing crisis, starting in Colorado Springs during National Pedestrian Safety Month.
Despite outreach efforts, October remains the most dangerous month of the year for pedestrians. In 2024, 120 pedestrians were killed statewide, with 17 of those deaths occurring in October alone.
El Paso County, home to Colorado Springs, reported 16 pedestrian fatalities — a 167 percent increase from just a decade ago. Combined with Adams and Denver counties, these regions accounted for nearly half of all pedestrian deaths across the state. The message is clear: pedestrian accidents are rising, and the cause is overwhelmingly driver behavior.
Why do so many pedestrian accidents happen in Colorado?
Colorado’s streets have become deadlier as traffic increases and drivers engage in more reckless conduct. Speeding, distracted driving, and impairment are the leading causes of fatal crashes involving pedestrians. These behaviors are not accidents. They are choices made by drivers who fail to take their responsibility seriously.
Unlike motorists, pedestrians have no protection against impact. A momentary lapse in attention behind the wheel can leave a victim with catastrophic injuries or worse. Yet these tragedies continue to happen in every part of the state, often in residential and downtown areas where people should feel safest walking.
Nighttime conditions make matters worse. CDOT reports that 65 percent of pedestrian fatalities occur after dark, often on roads with inadequate lighting or faded crosswalks. In many cases, pedestrians were struck outside of designated crossings, not because they were reckless, but because the streets were designed for cars, not people.
Why pedestrian fatalities continue to climb in Colorado
The sharp rise in pedestrian deaths across Colorado is not random. It reflects a pattern of dangerous driving and unsafe road conditions that has grown worse over the past decade. As cities expand and traffic increases, the balance between drivers and pedestrians has tilted toward risk, and the results have been devastating.
The leading causes behind this crisis include:
- Speeding: Drivers traveling even a few miles per hour over the limit create deadly conditions. A person struck at 23 miles per hour faces a 10 percent risk of death; at 50 miles per hour, that risk jumps to 75 percent.
- Distracted driving: Texting, scrolling, or focusing on in-car screens pulls attention away from the road at critical moments, often when pedestrians are crossing.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol and drug use remain major contributors to fatal pedestrian crashes, especially at night.
- Lack of safe infrastructure: Many neighborhoods still lack lighting, sidewalks, or clearly marked crosswalks, leaving pedestrians exposed on roads designed solely for vehicles.
- Rapid population growth: Urban sprawl has added more vehicles and foot traffic to areas that were never equipped to handle the volume safely.
When drivers speed through poorly designed or dimly lit streets, it’s pedestrians who pay the price. Victims and families left behind often face medical bills, emotional trauma, and a long road to recovery. A pedestrian accident lawyer can step in to investigate what went wrong, hold negligent drivers and entities accountable, and help victims secure the compensation they deserve.
How Colorado drivers can prevent pedestrian deaths
The rise in fatalities makes it clear that Colorado’s drivers must change their behavior. Safety campaigns and stronger enforcement can help, but real progress depends on drivers making better choices every time they get behind the wheel. The following steps are among the most effective ways to prevent pedestrian deaths:
- Always stop before crosswalks and never block them.
- Slow down in residential and urban areas, especially after dark.
- Avoid all distractions, including phones, navigation systems, and conversations.
- Never drive under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
- Use turn signals and make eye contact with pedestrians before proceeding through intersections.
Every driver who follows these rules helps prevent another tragedy. When drivers ignore them, pedestrians pay the price. If a negligent or speeding driver causes serious harm, an attorney can step in to hold them accountable and fight for the justice the victim deserves.
Taking action after a pedestrian accident in Colorado
After a pedestrian crash, victims and families often face overwhelming medical costs, emotional trauma, and the frustration of dealing with insurance companies that minimize responsibility. Colorado law limits the time available to file a claim, so it is important to act quickly. The sooner an attorney becomes involved, the stronger the case can be built.
The Longo Firm, LLC, represents injured pedestrians and families who have lost loved ones to negligent drivers. Attorney Stephen Longo and his team pursue justice for those who did nothing wrong except walk where they had every right to be safe.
Not all superheroes wear capes; some wear suits. If a driver’s negligence caused a pedestrian injury or death, contact The Longo Firm for a free consultation. Legal deadlines apply, and early action can make all the difference in securing justice and protecting your future. Contact us today.
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