More than 650 pedestrians are hit on Sydney Metropolitan roads each year.
In the Cumberland City Council area in 2022, 2 pedestrians were killed and 37 were injured. Pedestrians represented 9.1% of all casualties.
In the period 2018 to 2022, 8 pedestrians were killed .The largest number of pedestrian injuries was in the “over 60 age group” (34%), followed by 40 to 59 age group (19%), “0 to 16” age group (17.2%) and “26 to 39” (16.3%).
Pedestrian safety tips
Before crossing a road or entering an area where there are moving vehicles follow these tips:
- Look left and right before crossing the road to look for bicycles, motorcycles and incoming traffic.
- Listen for cars reversing behind you and traffic approaching from corners.
- Watch out for cars from all different directions.
What you can do as a pedestrian
- Use pedestrian crossings or cross at the traffic lights when the pedestrian crossing light is green. Be sure to obey the signals at crossings.
- Avoid crossing against an amber or red traffic light or a Don't Walk sign as you may misjudge the time it takes to cross the road.
- Check traffic has actually stopped before you step onto the road. A cyclist, motorcycle rider or driver may run the red light and not see you.
- Do not assume a cyclist, motorcyclist or driver has seen you because you have seen them.
- Walk in the direction of oncoming traffic.
- Avoid crossing roads near hills, near a corner or between parked cars where it may be difficult for a cyclist, motorcyclist, car or bus to see you.
- If you get off the bus, wait for the bus to leave before crossing the road so cars can see you and you can see them.
- Wear light-coloured clothing and a reflector (e.g. wristband or sash) at night.
- If you cannot cross the roads in one attempt, wait on the median strip until the traffic is clear.
- Avoid using your mobile phone or headphones when crossing the road.
- Hold your young children’s hands and encourage them to look left and right when crossing the road.
- Teach young children to always cross at a dedicated crossing.
- Watch for cars who are reversing out of driveways and turning onto the road from car parks.
What you can do as a driver
- You must give way to pedestrians crossing the road if you are in danger of hitting them, even if there is no marked pedestrian crossing.
- Slow down on roads where there are likely to be pedestrians such as school zones, shopping centres, restaurants, pubs and clubs.
- Never assume someone walking across the road has seen you and will wait for you to go past.
- Seniors or pedestrians with a disability may take a longer time to cross the road.
- Children are difficult to see and may act unpredictably.
How We Can Help
Contact our Road Safety Officer via email rso@cumberland.nsw.gov.au to let us know about any problems with footpaths, walkways or pedestrian crossings or suggestions on how we can make our roads safe for people walking.