Cyclists, pedestrians make up 4.7 percent of traffic fatalities

Cyclists and pedestrians accounted for 4.7 percent of Wyoming’s traffic fatalities from 2010 through 2014.

An analysis completed by WYDOT’s Highway Safety Office found the six cyclists killed, five of them in 2014, accounted for slightly less than 1 percent of the state’s traffic fatalities during the five-year period. The 24 pedestrians killed were 3.7 percent of the total fatalities

Two-thirds of the cycling fatalities occurred in urban areas, while the pedestrian fatalities were evenly divided between urban and rural roads.

The average age of the cyclists killed was 51, with two-thirds of the victims being 50 or older. The average age of the pedestrian victims was 48, and half of the victims were over 50.

Drivers were impaired in one-third of the crashes that killed cyclists, and one of the cyclists killed was found to be impaired. Impaired drivers were involved in 13 percent of the crashes that killed pedestrians, with 29 percent of the pedestrians killed found to be impaired.

WYDOT reminds drivers to watch for pedestrians and cyclists everywhere, and be especially alert in low-light or poor visibility conditions.

Pedestrians should stay on the sidewalk or path if one is available, and walk facing traffic on the shoulder of the road if there is no sidewalk or path. Say alert and don’t allow yourself to be distracted by electronic devices.

Both pedestrians and cyclists should wear bright colors and attempt to make eye contact with drivers to make sure they see you. Never assume a driver sees you.

Cyclists should always wear a helmet, ride in the same direction as traffic and obey all traffic signs, signals and markings.

Drivers should allow at least 3 feet of clearance when passing cyclists on the road, and when parking on the street look for cyclists before opening their vehicle door.