Warning to pedestrians as deaths rise

More than half the pedestrians killed each year are run down while crossing the road, according to the National Safety Council…

More than half the pedestrians killed each year are run down while crossing the road, according to the National Safety Council. And two-thirds of these accidents happen during darkness.

Last year 128 pedestrians were killed, 27.12 per cent of all road deaths. This compares with 113 deaths in 1995, which represented 25.86 per cent of road fatalities.

The council yesterday issued a warning to people not to cross the road from between parked cars or at a bend. Where there is no footpath, pedestrians are advised to use the right-hand side of the road, facing oncoming traffic.