Look Up and live ....
Pedestrian fatalities have increased by 18% in 2025, the worst result in 25-years
Pedestrian deaths will exceed 200-lives lost in 2025, the worst result in 25-years.
Its the first time its broken the 200-level since 2009. Alarmingly its risen from 167 to over 200 lives lost in a year. With a combination of single vehicle accidents, where a vehicle hits a pedestrian or distracted pedestrians walking into traffic.
Nationally there's been an 18% increase in a year. South Australia has seen the highest 89% increase followed by New South Wales 41%, Queensland 17% and Victoria 4%.
Distracted pedestrians are failing to look up from their devices or being distracted by multiple items, screens, coffee cups, dogs on a lease, prams or a combination of these. Adding to their distraction are ear buds which can dull sound inputs and screens distracting vision.
Pedestrian main focus is looking downwards, in an emergency they'll have to make an instant decision, prioritise their own safety, try to save the pram, dog, expensive device or coffee. "Look up and live, down at you doom," is the message to pedestrians. It will take time to sink in.