Colorado State Patrol wants you to stay in your lane and watch for pedestrians
COLORADO (KRDO) -- Colorado State Patrol is in the middle of a year-long campaign to remind people to control their lane position while driving and be aware of pedestrians and bicycles. It's called the "Stay in Your Lane" campaign.
State Patrol said their citation data over the last three years (2019-2021) shows 2021 had the highest year of citations related to pedestrians and bicycles.
“We’re headed in the wrong direction Colorado,” stated Col. Matthew C. Packard, Chief of the Colorado State Patrol. “No matter if you are walking to your mailbox or going on a multi-mile bike ride. This is everyone’s issue because sooner or later everyone is a pedestrian.”
According to State Patrol data, troopers issued 21 citations for motorists driving through or within a pedestrian safety zone between 2019 and 2021. Over the same time period, they issued citations for motorists failing to give pedestrians and bicyclists the right of way in a crosswalk, bicycle lane, or on a sidewalk as they emerged from an alley/driveway or building. Combining all citations together over this three-year period, Colorado motorists were issued 40% of these tickets in 2021.
“Whether driving downtown, through your neighborhood, or around popular areas, people need to stay alert while staying out of crosswalks and bike lanes. And now schools are coming back into session increasing the number of pedestrians during school start and end times," Packard said.
State Patrol said the issue of failing to yield to pedestrians and bicycles is a wide-reaching issue across the state. The top counties for these citations are listed below in descending order.
- Jefferson
- Adams
- Eagle, Chaffee, Mesa, Boulder and Weld
- Teller
- Montezuma
State Patrol said Jefferson County is also the top county for injury and fatal crashes involving a pedestrian or bicycle. Over a three-year period, Jefferson County’s pedestrian/bicycle vs. vehicle crash rate was double that of the second highest county, Adams County.
