Twenty-one pedestrians have been killed this year, half of last year’s 12 month total, prompting Police and Road Safety Advocates to appeal for all motorists to stop and consider their actions on the roads. So far in 2014, 21 pedestrians have been killed in crashes, compared to 42 pedestrians in total in 2013. This figure (of 21) is up 12 from the same time last year (9, Year to date in 2013). Assistant Commissioner John Hartley, Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, called for all motorists to stop and take note of their actions after recent tragic incidents. “We are calling for all road users; drivers, riders, cyclists, and pedestrians, to stop and consider their surroundings and actions when out on the roads. “With 21 pedestrians killed in the first part of this year, which is half of last year’s 12 month total, we are urging people to use caution. “At busy intersections in Sydney’s CBD, at any one moment there are pedestrians, cars and heavy vehicles all co-existing. “This means anyone not focussing on the road in front of them, crossing against the lights, distracted by electronic devices or taking unnecessary risks, is at any moment in danger of being in a serious incident. “Pedestrians: Look both ways, cross at the lights and on the green signal; do not run across the road or between traffic. “Drivers: Slow down, do not queue across intersections and keep a look out for pedestrians crossing the road. “We have seen too many tragic crashes recently, prompting us to drive the message home to all motorists the need to co-exist on the roads,” Assistant Commissioner Hartley said. Australian Road Safety Foundation CEO and Founder, Russell White, said, that it’s the responsibility of all road users to stay focused on the road. “If you are in a vehicle or a pedestrian, the key to road safety is in your hands. At the end of the day, each and every one of us is the key to road safety - every time we take to the road we make a number of decisions which can be the difference between life and death. “Our hope is that through education campaigns like Fatality Free Friday, we can reduce the number of men, women and children who unnecessarily lose their lives on Australian roads,” he said. Traffic and Highway Patrol’s, Motorcycle Response Team (MRT), are a dedicated team who target pedestrian safety and traffic congestion in Sydney’s CBD. Since July 2012, pedestrian crashes and fatalities in the CBD patrolled by the MRT have reduced by 52%.
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 05:32:07 +0000