Colorado has long been one of the states known for its active culture. People love to visit and live in Colorado to enjoy the natural beauty and the ability to enjoy a certain lifestyle. Even as autumn progresses and winter prepares to make its entrance, there is no shortage of people walking, running or riding their bikes. Unfortunately, these activities that are supposed to be so good for a person’s health may actually be putting them in harm’s way.
According to new data released by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more pedestrians and bicyclists are being killed on area roads than in previous years. The problems appear to be particularly noticeable in more congested cities instead of on rural backroads.
Automobile magazine suggests that the growing populations in urban regions is contributing to greater congestion and a general trend toward less pedestrian- and bicyclist-friendly roadways. Since 2009, the number of people on foot who have died in vehicular accidents has spiked by 69%. In the same time, the number of cyclists killed in urban accidents has increased by 48%.
In 2017 and 2018, drivers logged more miles than in prior years, but the overall number of traffic fatalities still went down, except for those fatalities involving pedestrians and bicyclists. Between 2017 and 2018, bicyclist deaths jumped over six percent and foot traffic deaths jumped almost 3.5%. New safety features on vehicles, distracted driving laws and more all seem to be ineffective so far in protecting people on foot and on bicycles, highlighting the need for additional vigilance and action when accidents do occur.