The 8th UN Global Road Safety Week is marked from 12 to 18 May in 2025. The focus this year is to make walking and cycling safer through concrete and specific interventions from different stakeholders – governments, international agencies, civil society, businesses and schools.
Road traffic injuries are a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with nearly 1.2 million people killed and as many as 50 million people injured each year. The CEO of MasterDrive, Eugene Herbert, says: “Pedestrian and cyclist fatalities are the leading killer of young people aged 5-29 years as well. The UN says globally, more than 1 of every 4 deaths occur among pedestrians and cyclists.
“In recent years there has been encouragement towards walking and cycling instead of using vehicles as it is a green, sustainable and economically advantageous mode of transport. Along with a this movement, attention also needs to be paid to creating conditions where pedestrians and cyclists are not at greater risk of injury or fatality either.”
Every year pedestrians remain the group with the highest fatality rate. “While drivers may look toward government to increase the safety of walkers and cyclists, the ultimate responsibility lies with drivers.
“Irrespective of whether government and other organisations make a safe environment for these vulnerable road users, it is drivers who need to be aware of all road users whether in a vehicle or not. With this awareness in mind, by adopting a few driving techniques as standard practice, less pedestrians may lose their lives,” says Herbert.
- Make eye contact with pedestrians when possible. Never assume a pedestrian knows you are there and aware of your intended movement
- Exert extra caution in areas where pedestrians are commonplace, such as in city centres
- Check your blind spot for pedestrians as well
- Remember pedestrians always have right of way. Even if a pedestrian does something wrong, it is the driver’s responsibility to avoid colliding with them.
- At night keep an eye on the side of the road for people or a flash of movement across the road.
- If there is a pedestrian along the road showing signs of intoxication, immediately increase the distance between yourselves and be ready in case they stumble and fall into your path
- Always avoid distracted driving, it is an even bigger danger with pedestrians on the road
- Immediately slow down around schools or areas where children are likely to be present. Children are not road savvy. Also be cautious of children running across the road when moving around scholar transport
- Keep your lights on (if you do not already) to increase your visibility to pedestrians
Play your part in reducing pedestrian fatalities with a few adjustments to your driving.
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