by Terri Wiebold

When cars collide with pedestrians, there is high potential for serious injury. According to the National Highway Traffic Association and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, pedestrian fatalities account for 11 percent of motor vehicle deaths. On average, a pedestrian is injured in a traffic accident every eight minutes and one is killed every 111 minutes. The City of Castle Pines North is not immune to these statistics. In fact, last year a biker was hit by a truck on Monarch Boulevard near Castle Pines Parkway.

The CPN Safety Task Force has received several e-mails recently expressing concern over lack of pedestrian awareness at intersections and drivers of vehicles failing to yield to the right-of-way, particularly the intersection of Castle Pines Parkway and Monarch Boulevard.

Douglas County recently made some lane striping changes and traffic light timing changes at this intersection that may have an impact on pedestrian traffic. Please use caution when entering this intersection either as the driver, or as a pedestrian.

The intersection is equipped with buttons and pedestrian signals with countdown timers displayed, and pedestrians are encouraged to utilize these features. Drivers are reminded that even if a green light is present, vehicles must yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.

Please direct any questions about the signals to Douglas County Traffic Engineer, Alex Larson, at 303 660-7490. Any comments/concerns pertaining to safety for pedestrians should be directed to .