Look Up and live ....

Pedestrian fatalities have seen an alarming 13% increase last year, rising to 197-deaths, the worst result in 15-years.

Fatalities have risen from 133 to 197 in five years, with a combination of single vehicle accidents, where a vehicle hit a pedestrian, or a distracted pedestrian walks into traffic.

Last year South Australia experienced a 70% increase, followed by New South Wales 28%, Queensland 17% and Victoria 6%. Pedestrian fatalities will continue to outpace the national road toll with distraction and increasing E-bikes and skateboards sharing pavements.

Pedestrians are failing to look up from their devices, totally distracted managing multiple items, coffee cups, dogs, prams. Many are wearing earbuds or headphones, their main focus looking down.

In an emergency pedestrians will prioritise their own safety, then make a snap decision on the pram, dog, expensive mobile or hot coffee. "Look up and live, down at your doom," is the message to pedestrians, it will take time to sink in.