Citation

Plowman B, Dray R. Proc. Australas. Road Safety Res. Policing Educ. Conf. 2000; 4: 65-68.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, copyright holder varies, Publisher Monash University)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Walking and other pedestrian behaviours are perhaps the most commonly used and certainly most widely available modes of personal transport. Despite this, relatively little is known about pedestrian activity, as a travel mode and its road safety implications. Previous research on pedestrians in the road environment suggests that they are considerably less likely to be involved in a crash than other road user groups. However, the continued high representation of pedestrians in the road toll in Queensland (despite continuing reduction in the overall road toll), combined with underreporting of pedestrian injuries, reflects the substantial role that pedestrian injury and fatality play in road crashes. In order to address this issue, Queensland Police Service chairs a Pedestrian Safety Working Group comprising representatives from key government agencies and pedestrian advocacy groups. The Working Group has developed a three year Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. As an integral component of the successful implementation of the Plan, Queensland Transport has commenced an in-depth analysis of pedestrian crashes, in order to further the current level of understanding of the causes and extent of these incidents. Data were obtained from various sources including the Road Crash Database (which is jointly maintained by the Queensland Police Service and Queensland Transport) and the Queensland Injury Surveillance Unit. This paper presents the preliminary findings of this analysis. The profile of pedestrians killed and injured in the road environment is examined. Directions for policy and amenity planning are recommended.