RAC is urging road users to pay extra attention to their surroundings with alarming new figures revealing pedestrian deaths have nearly doubled compared to this time last year.
Eleven pedestrians have been killed on Western Australian roads between January and May this year –up from six pedestrian fatalities over the same period last year.
Pedestrian fatalities on WA roads:
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jan - 31 May | 7 | 6 | 11 |
In May this year alone, three pedestrians tragically lost their lives on WA roads.
RAC General Manager of Corporate Affairs Will Golsby said families and communities are feeling the impact of road trauma and it’s a shared responsibility to ensure the safety of all road users.
“Pedestrians are extremely vulnerable when interacting with vehicles and have no real protections in a crash,” Mr Golsby said.
“Whether you’re a driver, pedestrian or cyclist, we all have a responsibility to pay attention to our surroundings and use roads safely.”
According to Main Roads WA, on average 520 pedestrians were involved in police reported traffic crashes every year between 2014 and 2018. Of those, nearly 70 per cent involved pedestrians crossing mid-block, away from an intersection. More than 60 per cent occurred on roads with speed limits of between 50 and 60km/hr.
Research also shows pedestrians are twice as likely to be killed when hit by a car travelling at 50km/hr, compared to 40km/hr.
“With WA consistently having one of the worst road safety records in the country, and with deaths and serious injuries occurring nearly every day, it’s never been more important to prioritise safety above all else,” Mr Golsby said.
“Distraction and inattention pose serious risks to all road users, so we’d urge everyone to look up and focus on the safety of those around them.”
RAC’s safety tips for pedestrians:
- Always check for oncoming traffic
- Where possible, cross at designated pedestrian crossings – the Road Traffic Code states that if one is available within 20 metres you must use it
- If you cannot cross at a designated crossing, take steps to ensure you can be seen by drivers (e.g. cross in well-lit locations, avoid crossing between parked cars or queuing traffic, or near a curve in the road)
- Motorists must give way to pedestrians already crossing the road they are turning into, but don’t assume they will
- Take extra care when walking on or around the road if you have been consuming alcohol, medication or other substances – these may impair your reaction time and judgement
- Keep your eyes on the road instead of on your smartphone screen
- Be extra cautious when walking with headphones in because it’s harder to hear traffic around you
RAC’s safety tips for drivers:
- Take actions to avoid or minimise distractions while driving
- Slow down and watch for kids around schools and playgrounds, and on residential streets
- Be alert in areas with high levels of pedestrian activity (e.g. main streets and shopping areas, at pedestrian crossings, intersections and other locations where pedestrians might step out unexpectedly such as between cars or behind buses)
<ends>
Media contact: RAC media team, 0401 703 719 or media@rac.com.au
