People in and around Denver may choose to walk instead of driving a car for a variety of reasons. Some people may rely on their own two feet and public transportation to get around the city, and others may choose to walk for the exercise and fresh air. Either way, pedestrians on Denver streets should be able to feel that they can do so without risking their lives.

Unfortunately, incidents of pedestrian accidents are all too common in the Mile High City and its surrounding suburbs. When a pedestrian accident happens, the results are often traumatic or even deadly. The human body is no match against a vehicle weighing thousands of pounds and traveling at a higher rate of speed. And even though car technology and safety features have improved over the last few years, pedestrian accidents seem to be increasing.

Vision Zero Project

To address the number of people being killed on Denver streets by motor vehicles, the city of Denver launched a Vision Zero initiative in 2017. The goal of this program is to eliminate all traffic-related deaths and injuries in Denver by 2030. Denver's Vision Zero program was modeled after a pilot program that started in Sweden in the late 1990s.

Last year, Denver's Vision Zero released data on the number of non-vehicle passengers who have died on Denver streets since 2013. There have been 367 deaths of either pedestrians, bicyclists, and scooter riders. Data pulled from Vision Zero also identified some of the most dangerous streets in Denver for pedestrians.

Dangerous Denver Streets

It may not be surprising that Federal Boulevard is the worst street in Denver for pedestrian deaths (16 deaths since 2013). Federal Boulevard is the main route to the Mile High Stadium, home to the Denver Broncos and site of other events such as concerts. Thousands of people park in lots off Federal Boulevard and walk to the stadium every year.

Also known as the longest main street in America, Colfax Avenue may not be the friendliest to pedestrians either, with five pedestrians dying from being hit by a car since 2013. Likewise, Alameda (five deaths), Colorado Boulevard (six deaths), and Sheridan Boulevard (one death) have also seen their share of pedestrian tragedies.

Efforts to Improve Pedestrian Safety

The data collected from Vision Zero has led to city officials to brainstorm ideas on how to improve pedestrian safety. Along Federal Boulevard, the city has lengthened traffic signals to allow for pedestrians to get a head start on crossing the street through intersections. There are also new sidewalks with access to light rail stations and bus stops, and some of the crosswalks have been brightly painted to make them more visible to drivers.

Denver Pedestrian Accident Attorney

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Denver pedestrian accident, you most likely faced a serious medical emergency, including major medical bills and lots of pain and suffering. The team at accidentdenver.com understands what a pedestrian has to deal with after being hit by a vehicle. With them by your side, fighting to get you the compensation you deserve, you can focus solely on recovering from your injuries and reclaiming your life. Contact them today.