Pedestrian safety

Southbank is a very busy suburb used by pedestrians, cyclists, cars, trucks among other varied forms of transport.

In light of the incident at City Rd and Power St in May, I thought it pertinent to offer some advice around staying safe as a pedestrian.

Pedestrian safety is a matter of using your eyes, ears, judgment and common sense.

Stop, Look, Listen, Think

Follow the safe road crossing procedure – STOP, LOOK, LISTEN and THINK.

• STOP one step back from the kerb or shoulder of the road if there is no footpath.
• LOOK in all directions for approaching traffic. 
• LISTEN in all directions for approaching traffic.
• THINK about whether it is safe to cross the road – when the road is clear or all traffic has stopped.

When crossing, walk straight across the road. Keep LOOKING and LISTENING for traffic while crossing.

This information is particularly relevant to young people learning to cross roads. But it also provides a useful reminder to everyone particularly to those who may be distracted when crossing the road.

Using your phone while crossing the road is particularly unsafe as it affects your ability to concentrate on the task at hand which is crossing the road safely!

If you follow these pedestrian dos and don’ts you have a greater chance of staying safe:

DO: use traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, pedestrian refuges, and overpasses and underpasses.

Establish eye-to-eye contact with drivers to ensure you have been seen. when crossing, walk straight across.

Keep scanning for oncoming traffic while crossing the road. children learn road safety by watching adults – set a good example by always crossing the road at a crossing or at traffic lights.

DON’T: avoid crossing near the crest of a hill or on a bend. don’t step from the curb until traffic has stopped. avoid emerging from between parked vehicles.

If you are walking at night or on dark days it is important to be easily seen, so wear light and bright coloured clothing, wear something reflective and carry a light at night and cross the road near streetlights.

At night, or in unfamiliar areas, it is a good idea to walk with a companion. Even your canine friend can be fitted out with reflective wear to be seen at night. Ever wondered what the road rules say about using a signalised pedestrian crossing?

A green man means you can cross, if it is safe to do so. A flashing red man means you can continue to cross but should not start crossing. A steady red man means do not start to cross – wait for the green man before beginning to cross.

As pedestrians, take care and always have your own safety in mind •