Denver Police Launch Program To Keep Pedestrians Safe

DENVER (CBS4)- Police in Denver have launched a new program to keep pedestrians safe in crosswalks after a series of crashes involving vehicles and pedestrians.

The Denver Police Department said after looking at a number of vehicle vs. pedestrian crashes it is usually the driver who is at fault.

Investigators said it usually involves the driver making a turn during the collision with a pedestrian.

Now, police are targeting some unknown problem intersections.

"We're going to put an officer in plain clothes, who is going to walk across the intersection. We'll have a spotter and a couple of vehicles that are going to chase, so if anything occurs with the driver where they take the right-of-way from the pedestrian, almost strike the pedestrian, then they will be stopped, we'll talk about what we're trying to do, and depending on the seriousness of the violation they will be cited," said Denver Police Sgt. Jeff Kolts.

Police are also working with traffic engineers if they discover during their investigation that stoplights may be contributing to the problem.