traffic violence

The total number of traffic deaths reached 57, one short of the total number killed last year. Denver also reached 4,840 hit and runs, which makes up 22 percent of all crashes so-far this year.

This week's Traffic Violence Report looks at the 16,552 crashes in Denver so far this year and breaks them down into several categories, including a 31% increase in fatalities and a 29% increase in serious injuries.

A group of eight people wearing gigantic eyeball masks high-fived pedestrians and danced at the corner of Speer Blvd. and Larimer Sts. this morning. The event intends to cut pedestrian fatalities in the state by urging people to make eye contact with drivers before crossing the street.

Today Denver reduced the speed limit from 35 to 30 mph on a stretch of East Evans Avenue from Federal Boulevard to Huron Street. The safety measure is one of Denver's efforts to cut serious injuries and fatalities on the city's streets, but most drivers disregarded the new speed limit. 

Between August 19th and the 26th, 516 crashes crashes occurred in Denver. Nine people were seriously injured. 170 were hit-and-run incidents, fully one third of all crashes. 13 drivers who caused collisions were drunk or drug impaired.

The Department of Public Works installed in-street pedestrian signs in the crosswalks at two intersections in the Washington Park neighborhood this morning. The signs come three weeks after Mayor Michael Hancock promised to boost street safety at 24 locations around the city after drivers killed two bicyclists last month, adding to a fast-rising death rate that is on track to reach highest level in over a decade.

A vision for the 5280 Trail, a “linear park" that could one day form a five-mile loop around downtown Denver, was unveiled yesterday. It would transform streets into tree-lined places for plazas, playgrounds and public art — while creating a low-stress place for people to stroll and ride bikes to, from and within downtown. 

Nearly three weeks after mayor promised safety upgrades by the end of August and after a series of new traffic fatalities, advocates say little has been done and wonder when the mayor will follow through.

As traffic fatalities skyrocket, a new region-wide Vision Zero program aims to help cities and counties within the Denver Metro improve street safety.