Be alert at pedestrian crossings

Pedestrians and motorists are reminded to take care at pedestrian crossings as children start returning to school from the beginning of February.

From 2005 to 2009, 40 pedestrians were injured in the Waikato district. Road Safety Co-ordinator for the Waikato district Megan Jolly said the high-risk age group were children aged 5 to 15 years.

"Nationally nearly a third of all crashes involving pedestrians occur on protected crossings such as traffic lights and zebra crossings. The risk and extent of injury increases with the impact speed of a vehicle.

“The faster you drive, the harder the impact. A person hit by a vehicle travelling at 30km has about a 95 per cent chance of surviving a crash, however the survival rate for someone hit by a vehicle travelling at 70km is only about five per cent,” she said.

Pedestrian crossings will be used more frequently as the number of children walking to school increases.
“Motorists need to remember to slow down around schools particularly at peak times.

“Some children have difficulty judging distances and may step out onto a crossing giving drivers little time to react. Motorists should therefore slow down and be prepared to stop at all crossings,” Ms Jolly said.