СÀ¶ÊÓƵ

Next week, the city of СÀ¶ÊÓƵ and the University of Colorado СÀ¶ÊÓƵ will step up enforcement of the city’s traffic laws in and around several of СÀ¶ÊÓƵ’s top locations for motor vehicle collisions involving a bicyclist or pedestrian as part of theÌý crosswalk safety campaign.

The campaign begins Monday, April 24, and lasts through Friday, April 28. Officers from both CU and the city will be at intersections around the CU campus.

Data collected by the city shows nearly half of all collisions within the city occur at intersections, and that crosswalks are the most common locations for collisions between motor vehicles and bicyclists or pedestrians. Eight percent of traffic collisions in СÀ¶ÊÓƵ involve a bicyclist or pedestrian, and these collisions account for 60 percent of serious injury and fatal collisions.

The city of СÀ¶ÊÓƵ website notes, "This finding isn't surprising if you consider that crosswalks are where vehicles, pedestrians and bicyclists literally 'cross paths'Ìýthe most."

Throughout the campaign, the city and CU СÀ¶ÊÓƵ police officersÌýwill focus enforcement efforts at select high-collision intersections and crosswalks near campus,Ìýand each day police will be joined by Heads Up ambassadors who will distribute educational material, coupons and small gifts to reinforce the Heads Up СÀ¶ÊÓƵ safety message.

Officers will be enforcing the three crosswalk-safety ordinances, requiring:

• Pedestrians and bicyclists to activate the flashing lights at crosswalks before entering the road or face a $50 fine,
• Bicyclists to slow to 8 mph or less as they approach, enter and traverse a crosswalk at all intersections or face a $50 fine, and
• Drivers approaching a crosswalk to stop and wait for a crossing pedestrian, or face a $125 fine and receive four points on their driving records.

"This is an opportunity to remind everyone, including students, that improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety is an important priority,"ÌýCU Police Chief Ken Koch said.