Pedestrian crashes are on the rise in Connecticut

CONNECTICUT (WTNH) — It's a tragic trend this time of year: pedestrian crashes are on the rise.

"It's just really been a brutal year on our roadways for our pedestrians," Connecticut Department of Transportation Spokesperson Josh Morgan said.

Three people have been killed walking on Connecticut roads in just four days, something that DOT calls an annual crisis.

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"This is a really dangerous time of year November with the clocks falling back, it getting darker so much sooner, the afternoon and evening rush hour commute is happening in dusk and darkness," Morgan said.

As of Nov. 7, not counting the last three victims, 54 pedestrians have died in crashes so far this year. That is the highest number the state has had in decades.

"That's more than where we were at this time in 2022 which was the deadliest year on Connecticut roads since the 1980's," Morgan said. "It's never a feeling of did the numbers stay flat, it's how much did they go up over the last week."

"It's something that we shouldn't be seeing," New Haven Police Officer Christian Bruckhart said.

One of the latest deadly crashes happened over the weekend in New Haven where police said the driver took off.

Two days later police said there was another hit and run on Chapel Street that left a man in critical condition. He is expected to survive.

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Now investigators are hunting for both drivers.

"We've improved a lot in New Haven with cameras, license plate readers," Bruckhart said. "Just stay. Don't make us come find you."

Morgan said drivers need to slow down, focus on the road and put their phones away. They advise pedestrians to use crosswalks or sidewalks when possible and make yourself visible by wearing a reflective vest or using lights.

"These are our friends, our neighbors, our colleagues and our loved ones that are going to be home at the end of the day," Morgan said.

As for infrastructure, Morgan said raised crosswalks or speed bumps typically reduce the risk for pedestrian crashes as well as the new law that allows cities and town to install red light and speed cameras.