ONE THING IS almost certain: in any collision between a vehicle and a pedestrian, the pedestrian will come off worst. Whenever you’re in a vehicle, you have a responsibility to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Always remember that your vehicle poses a significant danger to humans on and around the road.
Drivers over 50 are more likely to feature in the statistics, certainly as drivers, but also, unfortunately, as pedestrians.
Sad but true, our abilities degenerate as we age and even if you still feel like a 20-year-old, your reflexes, sight, hearing and reaction times tell a very different story.
Drivers 50-plus need to be especially vigilant at all times, but some areas and situations require greater vigilance.
- School zones. Children are notoriously lacking in street smarts and traffic awareness. Pedestrian traffic is often high in school zones and many pedestrians won’t be paying close attention to road traffic. Each state seems to have different rules and guidelines for driving within school zones, but the simplest advice is to drive through them as if a child is liable to run out in front of you at any moment (which, let’s face it, isn’t unlikely). Also pay close attention to vehicles dropping off or picking up a child and school buses. It is estimated that approximately 20 per cent of children between five and nine who are killed in traffic incidents are pedestrians. If you are the driver doing the pick-up or drop-off, check carefully before allowing your passengers to open doors or alight from the vehicle into traffic. If possible, have your passengers alight on the nearside (footpath side) of the vehicle – although this isn’t always possible or practical. If there is room to pull off the road or otherwise out of traffic, always take advantage of it.
- Parking lots. A car park is a shared precinct with both vehicles and people. Every parked vehicle must be walked to and from by the driver and possibly several passengers. Drivers are often distracted as they try and locate a parking space and pedestrian traffic isn’t confined to designated walkways. If you’re driving, constantly scan ahead, to the side and behind you and if there isn’t a speed limit, try and stay as close to walking pace as possible. If you’re a pedestrian, be aware that drivers may be searching for a parking space or otherwise distracted. Never assume they have seen you or know you are there. An additional hazard is that pedestrians often appear from behind pillars or other obstacles to clear sight. If you’re the driver, be alert to all the potential hazards; if you are a pedestrian, try not to surprise a driver by your sudden and unexpected appearance.
- Urban and city areas. Suburban or rural drivers are often taken by surprise by the way pedestrians in cities will dart to and fro, ignore pedestrian crossings and traffic lights and generally behave in unexpected and dangerous ways. Never assume a green light gives you freedom to proceed without due caution (either as a pedestrian or a driver). Always look both ways. Be especially aware of that greatest of modern hazards, the pedestrian absorbed by his/her phone screen, crossing roads, meandering along footpaths, stepping off kerbs and generally behaving completely unpredictably and with no concern for his/her own safety.
- Special events. These days it is more and more common for people to take over the streets for special events. With any festival, concert or sporting event, there will be an increase in the number of pedestrians on and near roadways. If you can, take an alternative route. If not, use added caution.
- Holidays. Public holidays are often accompanied by a street parade with people lining the street and often having to park some distance away and walk to their vantage point. At many of these events, children will be excited and taking even less care than usual, so watch out for them and drive as if they may dart out in front of you without warning at any moment.
- Holiday locations. Beachside towns and other holiday destinations become crowded at various times of the year, and people in holiday mode are relaxed and casual. And that means not paying as much attention to their surroundings as usual. Be aware of the risks (such as people running across the road without looking) and drive accordingly. Slow down and stay alert.
Pedestrians are constantly at risk on our roads and far more likely to sustain serious injuries or be killed in a collision than drivers or passengers. Add them to your list of hazards to look out for when driving. And on those occasions when you are a pedestrian, assume every driver is out to try and kill you. You probably won’t be far from the truth.