Pedestrians were here first and should get special priority when it comes to road safety. In 1995 pedestrian fatalities accounted for 20% of road deaths in Australia.
Because Federal Office of Road Safety research indicates that 74% of pedestrians involved in fatal crashes cause the accident and a further 8% are partially responsible, it is vital that road safety education is provided for pedestrians.
This is particularly important for children
because of their unique problems and elderly
because of their overrepresentation in pedestrian fatalities. Pedestrians over 60 account for 40% of pedestrian fatalities even though only 15% of the population are over 60.
Drink-walking is a problem with 30% of pedestrian fatalities having Blood Alcohol Concentrations over .05.
Although car drivers aren't usually at fault it is significant that bull bars are involved in nearly 20% of pedestrian fatalities. This is a strong argument for legislation insisting on pedestrian friendly bull bars. Properly designed bull bars should strike pedestrians at a low point and flip them on to the bonnet.
Similarly, most car safety design has been aimed at increasing the safety of occupants. Therefore, although it is desirable to change pedestrian behaviour and thus avoid the collisions altogether, encouraging pedestrian friendly car design is still a good idea. Fortunately car manufacturers have taken some initiative in this regard. However at this stage it should be a major priority.
Also, impact speed is relevant to injury severity. At 25kph pedestrians are unlikely to be killed or seriously injured while at 60kph their chance of survival is slim. In context this does not argue for token (eg. 10kph) speed limit reductions that, if complied with, will only mean that there will be more slow/dreamy drivers still travelling at speeds likely to seriously injure. This would be unlikely to significantly benefit pedestrians. However it is likely to create a significant benefit for those who make money from speeding fines eg. politicians when motorists don't change speed
. Nor can impact speed be used as an excuse for greater speed limit enforcement on streets with speed limits of 50 or 60kph. Ninety percent of pedestrian collisions involve cars driving at 45kph or less. This is not normally an illegal speed. The only rational response to the momentum problem that can assist pedestrian well being is to have clearly signed speed limits of 25kph at appropriate sites that motorists will make special note of.
Blind pedestrians
have special needs. Follow the link to a web site which discusses these needs.