Victorians have enjoyed substantial reductions in the annual numbers of pedestrians killed after 1989. However, despite these excellent gains, the overall problem remains a serious community concern with nearly 80 persons killed and over 700 persons seriously injured in 1999. A large part of the savings appears due to a general downward trend in Victoria's overall road toll after 1989. Pedestrians appeared to have benefited significantly from measures targeted at drivers, such as the introduction of speed cameras and a boost in random breath testing, both of which occurred in 1990. However, pedestrian crashes in high activity/commercial centres still represent a long-standing problem for which few effective solutions have been found. This report addresses the problem of high concentrations of pedestrian casualty crashes in strip shopping centres along Melbourne's arterial roads. It is suggested that innovative and comprehensive approaches are needed to moderate excessive vehicle speeds to uniformly lower levels in environments where there is high pedestrian activity. An examination of some philosophies and practices in Denmark and The Netherlands was also undertaken. The report concludes with a discussion of the possible application of these philosophies and practices to the Victorian setting as a means of accelerating improvements in pedestrian safety. (A)
Abstract