This report concludes the inquiry into pedestrian safety in Victoria. In 1998 seventy-nine pedestrians died. This represents 20% of all road fatalities. The Committee notes that pedestrian crashes occurring off-road, such as in driveways or other non-public areas, are not included in the statistics. Systematic traffic counts do not include pedestrian activity making it difficult to measure their exposure levels or crash risk. The Committee found countermeasures and initiatives exist to assist in reducing pedestrian trauma. However, failure to implement these countermeasures is indicative of pedestrians’ lack of legitimacy in road and land use planning. Currently measures are implemented in isolation. The Committee is of the view that a co-ordinated approach to road safety is required. The Committee found the existing urban speed limit of 60 km/h is inappropriate on local roads and recommends a statewide urban speed limit of 50 km/h on these roads. The Committee is conscious that some municipalities may have special situations that require the maintenance of a 60 km/h limit to avoid severe traffic build-up. In these rare cases the option of appeal should be provided. The existing procedure requiring municipalities to apply for approval to initiate 50 km/h is costly, overly bureaucratic and of doubtful effectiveness due to the lack of statewide uniformity. A graded hierarchy of speed limits, road and land use will further enhance public safety. Government should encourage a philosophy that all roads need to be re-designated based on specific functions. Residential areas would discourage through-traffic and streets with high pedestrian traffic would not allow heavy vehicles to enter. This approach to urban planning would create an equitable and safe environment for all road users. Each municipality needs to develop a road safety plan encompassing the needs of all road users. The use of road safety audits on major planning and traffic engineering proposals will improve the safety of all road users. The Liquor Control Act 1987 states a licensee must not supply liquor to a person in a state of intoxication. However, there is no legal definition of an intoxicated patron. This puts licensees and bar staff in a difficult position having to make subjective judgments. A legal definition of intoxication must be established. The Committee also found that routine testing for the presence of alcohol and other drugs of pedestrians when presenting to hospital does not occur. As mechanisms already exist for testing other car crash victims it is possible to include pedestrians. Without routine testing the exact number of intoxicated pedestrians remains speculative. While the Committee is of the view that Responsible Serving of Alcohol programs should be a compulsory requirement for all managerial and supervisory staff of licensed venues, the program needs to be reviewed and evaluated and revised where necessary. Breathalyser units should be made available at all licensed venues and their use encouraged by staff. Pedestrians need to take responsibility for their actions. To this end Traffic Infringement Notice penalties for pedestrian misdemeanors should be raised from $15.00 to $50.00. Awareness of the danger of illegal crossing behaviour and offences for pedestrians needs to be raised via education campaigns. The Committee chose not to examine the cost-benefit analysis of any measures for two reasons. First, a number of countermeasures already in place have not been evaluated to determine their cost-effectiveness. Secondly, as a number of these initiatives have not been trialed or evaluated their effectiveness cannot be determined. The Committee considers it essential that any program, initiative or countermeasure put in place is evaluated to determine its effectiveness. (A)
Samenvatting