Pedestrians can increase their safety in the road environment by making themselves more visible and using safe routes and road crossings where possible.
Drivers can help make the road environment safer for pedestrians by scanning for pedestrians at crossings and intersections, and being aware of the potential presence of pedestrian affected by alcohol around entertainment venues and at festive seasons. Drivers should adapt their speed in locations where there is a high amount of pedestrian activity.
Statistics
Over the last 5 years nearly 1 in every 10 road deaths in South Australia was a pedestrian. In addition to fatalities there are on average 113 pedestrians seriously injured and 374 pedestrians who receive minor injuries each year.
Alcohol impairs judgement and slows reflexes, so crossing the road safely is difficult. On average 36% of pedestrian fatalities are found to have a blood alcohol concentration above the legal driving limit of 0.05. Over half of these that had been alcohol-affected were found to have a blood alcohol concentration more than 4 times the legal driving limit.
We are all pedestrians at times and, as such, are vulnerable road users. Risks to safety are heightened because pedestrians are not surrounded by the protection of a vehicle and, in the event of a crash, are more susceptible to the possibility of death or serious injury.
Older pedestrians have a higher risk of death and injury. Elderly pedestrians in particular have a higher risk of collision with road vehicles due to the perceptual, cognitive and physical deterioration associated with ageing. If an older person is hit by a car, the outcome is likely to be more severe resulting in a fatality rather than an injury. Many elderly people also have a greater reliance on walking and are therefore more likely to be exposed to traffic as pedestrians than younger age groups.
Male pedestrians tend to have a higher frequency of death and injury than females, until the age of 60 when the number of female casualties increases. This change in trend is likely to be a reflection of the population characteristics in this older age category.
Over 87% of pedestrian casualties occur in the Metropolitan Adelaide area, where most of the pedestrian activity exists.
Included in the classification of pedestrians are people who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters that are less than 110kg unladen weight and cannot travel faster than 10 km/h, and skaters and scooters when they are using the footpath.
FAQs
When I am walking and crossing a driveway do I have to give way to an entering car?
Vehicles driving in or out of private property or a road related area must give way to pedestrians on the footpath. It is always best however to be cautious and make sure you make eye contact with the driver.
Do I have to use a designated pedestrian crossing to cross a major road?
It is always best to cross at pedestrian crossing if there is one available and you must cross at crossing if there is one within 20 meters.
If there is not a crossing, always cross the road by the shortest and safest route, make sure you can be seen and allow plenty of time to cross. Some main roads have raised medians to help you cross the road in two stages.
Can I cross at the traffic signals when the pedestrian signal is flashing red?
Only cross at pedestrian lights when the light is green. If you are crossing with a green light and the light changes to flashing red, you must cross to the other side of the road, or the nearest traffic island designated for pedestrians, as quickly and safely as possible
What the Law says
Under the Road Traffic Act 1961 and the Australian Road Rules a number of offences exist in relation to walking without regard to other road users or without regard to safety. It is an offence to walk without reasonable consideration for other road users
Under the Australian Road Rules:
- It is an offence for a pedestrian to cross a road diagonally unless at an intersection where this is allowed.
- A pedestrian must cross a road by the shortest safest route and they can only cross when the pedestrian lights are green.
- A pedestrian must not cross a road within 20 metres of a crossing on the road, except at the crossing or another crossing.
Drivers should be aware of the Road Rules relating to pedestrians particularly when it is necessary to give way to pedestrians when turning or when driving in or out of road related areas and private property.
Penalties
Penalties apply for offences under the Australian Road Rules.
Links
The pedestrian council of Australia
Motor Accident Commission - Pedestrian Campaign
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Pedestrian safety treatments