COLORADO SPRINGS — With winter right around the corner, there will be less daylight in the evening hours, and those with the Colorado Springs Police Department say it could be more dangerous for those who may walk or bike home.
News 5 spoke with one college student who said one of her friends had actually been hit by a car in the past. "I think she was crossing in this area, and there was just like some confusion, and I think another car was involved and she ended up breaking a leg, and so was sort of in recovery for a while," said Susanna Penfield, who said she has lived in Colorado Springs for around four years.
Crime Prevention Officer for the Colorado Springs Police Department, Scott Mathis, said in the winter it can be a bit more difficult to see pedestrians because the sun sets much earlier. "People are out, they still want to go for their jogs, they still want to go for their bike rides, but they're less visible," said Officer Mathis.
CSPD reported 13 fatal accidents involving a pedestrian in 2018. So far this year, CSPD said there have been seven fatal accidents involving a pedestrian, but this time last year, there had been eight. "A lot of those times, it's actually the pedestrian's fault, they're not crossing at the crosswalks like they're supposed to, or they're just going in front of traffic," said Officer Mathis.
Still, Officer Mathis said it's not just about pedestrians being aware. "The biggest thing that drivers can do is just to make sure they're paying attention," said Officer Mathis.
In Colorado Springs, bicycles are required to have lights on both the front and back. If not, a person could be ticketed.
