Victoria Police is pleading with all road users to be safety-conscious with the number of pedestrian deaths more than doubling this year.
Issuing the urgent safety plea, Assistant Commissioner Road Policing, Glenn Weir said 15 pedestrians had died on the State’s roads this year, compared with six at the same time last year.
“We’re concerned this trend will continue as we head into the winter months when it gets darker earlier and visibility is reduced,” Assistant Commissioner Weir said.
“Even if pedestrians survive a collision the consequences can be life-changing,” he said.
“Victoria Police analysis shows more than 1,200 pedestrians were injured last year alone.”
Assistant Commissioner Weir said distraction had been a factor in several pedestrian deaths this year.
He said that too often people weren’t aware of their surroundings because they were blasting music through their headphones or absorbed with their mobile phone.
“We also need motorists to pay attention and be aware of pedestrians,” the Assistant Commissioner said.
“Drive so others survive, especially around built up and busy areas like schools and shopping strips,” he said.
“There are lower speed limits in these areas for a reason.”
Assistant Commissioner Weir said Police were marking National Road Safety Week this week (until 22 May) by making sure pedestrians obeyed traffic signals and ensuring that motorists adhered to speed limits, obeyed road rules around pedestrian crossings and didn’t use their mobile phone while behind the wheel.
“Please, help us keep pedestrians safe,” he asked.
“They’re such simple steps but they could avoid a tragedy.”
