1

Safe People

#FFFFFF

#FFFFFF

The most vulnerable roadway users are the ones outside of vehicles. Over the last decade, the number of people killed while walking, biking, or on a motorcycle has only increased. Safe People brings together experts in roadway design and driving behavior to develop strategies to reduce the risk to bicyclists, pedestrians, motorcyclists, roadway crews and first responders, as well as older and younger drivers.

#FFFFFF

People Fatality Trends

#FFFFFF

Fatalities by Mode - Graph

Graph of fatalities by mode for each year from 2018 through 2022. Includes the following modes: pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists. For exact data shown in the graph, reference the data table in the next tab.

Fatalities by Mode - Table

 20192020202120222023
Total Fatalities per Year199248246272292
Bicyclists2015151320
Pedestrians769394110136
Motorcyclists**103140137149136
#FFFFFF

The data provided above for the most recent year is considered preliminary. Please refer to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the most accurate fatality data for the state of Colorado. The data source of the data above is the Colorado Department of Transportation crash database. Reference more crash data and key transportation safety data information.

#FFFFFF

 
#FFFFFF

orange lines
#FFFFFF

Modes


#FFFFFF

Pedestrians

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines a pedestrian as any person on foot, walking, running, jogging, hiking, using a wheelchair, sitting or lying down (NHTSA, 2020). Pedestrians are some of the most vulnerable of roadway users and are also highly overrepresented in fatal and serious injury crashes. Infrastructure changes such as protected crosswalks, leading pedestrian intervals at signals, grade-separated crossings and visibility enhancements such as bump-outs and pedestrian refuge islands, can help reduce conflicts between pedestrians and vehicles. Additional strategies include ensuring pedestrian infrastructure meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and formalizing desired paths, so that pedestrians aren’t traveling in harm’s way. Lastly, addressing driver behavior by eliminating impaired and distracted driving can significantly reduce pedestrian deaths due to errant or inattentive drivers.

Read the Vulnerable Road User Assessment

#FFFFFF


#FFFFFF

Bicyclists

Bicyclists and other cyclists are defined by NHTSA as riders of two-wheel, non-motorized vehicles, tricycles or unicycles powered solely by pedals (NHTSA, 2020). Often, other small motorized micromobility conveyances, such as e-bikes and scooters, are also considered bicyclists. Year after year, bicyclists are overrepresented in fatal and serious injury crashes in Colorado. A primary strategy in reducing bicyclist crashes is creating infrastructure that separates bicyclists from motor vehicle traffic, such as bicycle-only lanes and detached bicycle paths. Other strategies include educating both bicyclists and drivers on best behaviors through programs such as Bicycle Colorado’s Shift Driving training course and advocating for state laws that protect bicyclists such as the Colorado Safety Stop. 

Read the Vulnerable Road User Assessment

#FFFFFF


#FFFFFF

Motorcyclists

While motorcyclists are not always considered vulnerable roadway users, motorcycles do not offer the same protections as a typical passenger vehicle yet operate at the same high speeds with little to no protection for the rider. Motorcyclists are at highest risk of roadway departure crashes and crashes where, due to their smaller size, they are not seen by drivers of other vehicles. Some infrastructure elements can reduce crashes, such as those that reduce roadway departures or left turn conflicts, but much of motorcyclists’ safety relies on the behavior of the motorcyclist and of other drivers. As such, strategies regarding motorcyclists’ safety are focused on laws, enforcement and education that encourage safe behaviors such as checking over your shoulder before changing lanes, wearing a helmet and high visibility apparel, avoiding lane splitting and receiving proper motorcycle training and license endorsement. 

#FFFFFF


#FFFFFF

Work Zones

NHTSA defines a work zone as an area where roadwork takes place and may involve lane closures, detours and moving equipment (NHTSA, 2020). The roadway can be a very dangerous environment for our local road workers. Strategies to improve work zone safety include enhanced traffic control setup, requiring workers to wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and driver education and enforcement in work zones such as obeying reduced work zone speed limits, following all traffic control instructions and increased awareness of workers present. 

#FFFFFF


#FFFFFF

First Responders

Anyone who arrives at the scene of a crash can be considered a first responder. This includes police officers, paramedics, firefighters, tow equipment operators and maintenance personnel making emergency repairs. Because most often crashes occur on an active roadway that still needs to carry traffic, it is essential that traffic incidents are well managed to protect the lives of those on scene. Up to 25% of crashes result in secondary crashes during traffic queueing. Strategies for first responders include Traffic Incident Management (TIM) training and the recent expansion of the Slow Down, Move Over law to include anyone stopped on the roadside. Additionally, it is essential that drivers pay attention to reduced speeds or changes in traffic patterns around the scene of a crash and follow officers' instructions. 

#FFFFFF

Vulnerable Drivers


#FFFFFF

Fatalities by Age - Graph

Graph of fatalities by age group for each year from 2018 through 2022. Includes the following age groups: younger drivers (25 and under), and older drivers (65 and over). For exact data shown in the graph, reference the data table in the next tab.

Fatalities by Age - Table

 20192020202120222023
Young Drivers (Under 25)768690103102
Older Drivers (65 and Over)7865798088
#FFFFFF

The data provided above for the most recent year is considered preliminary. Please refer to the Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the most accurate fatality data for the state of Colorado. The data source of the data above is the Colorado Department of Transportation crash database. Reference more crash data and key transportation safety data information.

#FFFFFF

Older
Drivers

According to NHTSA, “As drivers age, their physical and mental abilities, driving behaviors and crash risks all change, though age alone is not determinative of driving performance. Many features of the current system of roads, traffic signals and controls, laws, licensing practices and vehicles were not designed to accommodate older drivers.” (NHTSA, 2020). Strategies include enhancing infrastructure to help accommodate the aging population, including wider striping and marking and reflectivity, color contrast, size and font requirements on traffic signs. Strategies also include creating educational materials and programs designed to help mature drivers and their families decide when it’s time to stop driving and providing public transportation alternatives for those that have chosen not to drive.

#FFFFFF


#FFFFFF

Young
Drivers

Driver inexperience is a factor in nearly 10% of fatal and injury crashes in Colorado in 2021. According to NHTSA, the term young driver refers to a person 15 to 20 years old operating a motor vehicle (NHTSA, 2020). Drivers in this age group usually acquire their driver’s licenses for the first time and many are in graduated driver licensing (GDL) programs to learn driving skills. Strategies for this age group are therefore often focused on driver’s education programs. However, additional efforts include other educational events such as Colorado State Patrol's Take it to the Track and the work of the Colorado Young Driver’s Alliance.

#FFFFFF


#FFFFFF

Children

Children under the age of 15 are also at higher risk of death or serious injury in the event of a crash, whether they are vehicle passengers or they are walking or bicycling. Strategies for child passenger safety include car seat installation checks, training and education. Additionally, programs such as Safe Routes to School focus on helping students using alternative modes arrive at school safely through infrastructure and education grants. 

#FFFFFF

Follow our progress on the Emphasis Area Action Dashboard. Want to join this Emphasis Area? Contact Us.

#FFFFFF

Additional Tools & Resources

Safety Portal

Find current safety statistics, read related safety plans, explore data dashboards and learn about our funding programs.

Explore Safety Data 

Get Involved

Contact Us

Sign up for our newsletter, join our Emphasis Areas, contact the ATS Planning & Implementation Team and more!

Consider Joining Us!