Safe People

Modes

Vulnerable Roadway Users 

Vulnerable Roadway Users (VRUs), including pedestrians, bicyclists, wheelchair users, and others who lack the physical protection of a vehicle, are overrepresented in serious and fatal crashes on Colorado’s roadways. Targeted interventions aim to reduce these risks and create safer conditions. For pedestrians, this includes protected crosswalks, pedestrian refuge islands, bump-outs, grade-separated crossings, and signal enhancements like leading pedestrian intervals. Ensuring infrastructure complies with ADA standards and formalizing desire paths also reduces conflict points. The SHSP identifies the following strategies to reduce VRU-related crashes. 

Strategies

• SP11: Analyze pedestrian and bicycle crash types
• SP12: Improve VRU exposure data
• SP13: Conduct road safety audits (RSA)
• SP14: Perform regional pedestrian/bicyclist studies
• SP15: Analyze VRU crash demographic data
• SP16: Conduct VRU before-and-after studies
• SP17: Educate traffic safety professionals on VRU best practices
• SP18: Inventory VRU infrastructure
• SP19: Expand VRU data sources
• SP20: Evaluate VRU priority locations

Motorcyclists

Motorcyclists, like pedestrians and bicyclists, lack physical protection during a collision despite traveling at similar speeds to a car. Due to their smaller size, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to roadway departure crashes and collisions caused by other drivers failing to detect them.  While infrastructure improvements like better curve design and reduced left-turn conflicts can help, much of motorcycle safety depends on the behavior of both riders and drivers. Colorado’s strategies to improve motorcyclist safety focus on education, enforcement, and protective gear use.

Strategies

• SP01: Expand motorcycle operator safety training
• SP02: Increase public awareness of motorcycle safety
• SP03: Improve motorcycle licensing and endorsement
• SP04: Increase helmet and other PPE use
   

First Responders

Anyone who arrives at the scene of a crash, whether police officers, paramedics, firefighters, tow operators, or maintenance personnel, is considered a first responder. Since crashes often occur on active roadways that still need to carry traffic, effective traffic incident management is crucial to protect the safety of those on scene. Secondary crashes caused by traffic queueing account for a significant portion of incidents. The recent expansion of the Slow Down, Move Over law requires vehicles to move over one lane or slow to safe speeds when passing stationary vehicles, including those responding to a collision. In addition to the law, the SHSP recommends additional resources and support for first responders. 

Strategies

• SP22: Provide resources and support for first responders

Work Zones

Work zones, defined by NHTSA as areas where roadwork occurs and may involve lane closures, detours, or moving equipment, can pose significant risks for both workers and drivers. The presence of heavy machinery, changing traffic patterns, and close proximity to moving vehicles make these environments especially hazardous. 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. The SHSP recommends a work zone safety committee to assist implementation of effective protective strategies. 

Strategies

• SP21: Create work zone safety committee