Pedestrian Safety and New Strategies in Road Safety
Pedestrian safety
People over 60 and young children account for the greatest number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities
At present 40% of pedestrians killed are aged 60 or over, although only about 17% of the population are in this age group.
It is estimated that by the year 2010 the number of people aged 60 years and over will be around one-third higher than current levels.
This ageing of the population will increase the proportion of pedestrians at risk
The Government must therefore conduct public education and advertising campaigns targeting this more vulnerable group
The safety of pedestrians must be improved through the provision of adequate road crossing facilities, audio-tactile signals and ramps for wheelchairs, prams and
shopping trolleys.
Have you noticed the number of pedestrians wishing to cross at Roundabouts and the incidents where vehicles do not stop?
Technology can already vary pedestrian signal crossing times for the needs of particular user groups. In the next decade more sophisticated devices will be able to measure the speed at which users cross and Lengthen the ‘walk’ time if a user is at risk.
The RTA must develop information programs about the use of such facilities, especially for seniors and children.
Lower speed limits represent one of the most effective safety improvements.
New strategies in road safety
During the next decade local and state Government must seek to lead changes in community perception of the importance of road safety by
• raising the level of awareness of road safety issues
• improving community understanding of what we are doing in road safety.
• increasing the ability of Local Government to implement initiatives and improve road safety at a local level
promoting greater involvement and better co-ordination with all road safety stakeholders.
People over 60 and young children account for the greatest number of pedestrian injuries and fatalities
At present 40% of pedestrians killed are aged 60 or over, although only about 17% of the population are in this age group.
It is estimated that by the year 2010 the number of people aged 60 years and over will be around one-third higher than current levels.
This ageing of the population will increase the proportion of pedestrians at risk
The Government must therefore conduct public education and advertising campaigns targeting this more vulnerable group
The safety of pedestrians must be improved through the provision of adequate road crossing facilities, audio-tactile signals and ramps for wheelchairs, prams and
shopping trolleys.
Have you noticed the number of pedestrians wishing to cross at Roundabouts and the incidents where vehicles do not stop?
Technology can already vary pedestrian signal crossing times for the needs of particular user groups. In the next decade more sophisticated devices will be able to measure the speed at which users cross and Lengthen the ‘walk’ time if a user is at risk.
The RTA must develop information programs about the use of such facilities, especially for seniors and children.
Lower speed limits represent one of the most effective safety improvements.
New strategies in road safety
During the next decade local and state Government must seek to lead changes in community perception of the importance of road safety by
• raising the level of awareness of road safety issues
• improving community understanding of what we are doing in road safety.
• increasing the ability of Local Government to implement initiatives and improve road safety at a local level
promoting greater involvement and better co-ordination with all road safety stakeholders.
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