Victorians walking to safer roads

07 May 2013

Media Release: Tuesday 7 May

Pedestrian safety is the focus of this week’s United Nations Global Road Safety Week supported by Victorian road safety partners the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Victoria Police, VicRoads and the Department of Justice.

The launch of the global week of action has prompted a TAC warning to all Victorian pedestrians to take care when crossing the road.

TAC Chief Executive Officer Janet Dore said 35 pedestrians lost their lives on Victorian roads last year, accounting for 12.5 per cent of the total road toll.

“Pedestrians should use controlled crossings wherever possible, make eye contact with drivers and remain alert to all visual and auditory cues," Ms Dore said.

The TAC paid over $133 million in support services and benefits to injured pedestrians in 2011/12 and also to support the families of those who died on our roads.

“It’s sad to think that that dollar figure represents hours of medical treatment, rehabilitation, doctors’ visits and in some cases, funeral costs and grief counseling,” Ms Dore said.

In an effort to reduce fatalities among pedestrians, the TAC kicked off the week with an activity to reward pedestrians that do the right thing and cross the road with the green man.

Ms Dore said the aim of the activity was to educate Victorian pedestrians about crossing the road safely.

“While it might seem like a simple task, failing to do the right thing when crossing the road could result in tragic outcomes for pedestrians and other road users.”

“Items such as iPods and using mobile phones can block out important auditory cues of drivers and pedestrians and are not ideal when trying to negotiate a busy traffic system.

"Motorists also have a role to play, and are urged to slow down in environments where pedestrians are most at risk.”

Police are also supporting the week of action by running Operation Halo cross the Melbourne, Yarra, Boroondara, Stonnington and Port Philip Police Service Areas.

Operation Halo targets the factors behind road trauma involving vulnerable road users including pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

Find out more about the UN Global Road Safety Week by visiting www.who.int/roadsafety/week/2013/en/index.html.

For further information please contact the TAC’s Nick Price on (03) 5225 7738 and 0408 523 772.

Captions for images below:
Image 1: The Green road safety team with, (from left) TAC Senior Road Safety manager Samantha Cockfield, Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing Robert Hill and Monash University Senior Research Fellow Michael Fitzharris.