The Australian Automobile Association in a communique this week said a sharp increase in pedestrian deaths in the 12 months to 31 July pushed Australia’s road deaths to their highest level for any corresponding period in 15 years. Why should we be surprised by these figures – Since 2021, when Australian Governments adopted a National Road Safety Strategy target of halving road deaths by 2023, total road fatalities have increased by 22 percent. Over the same period, fatalities among pedestrians have increased by a staggering 48.6 per cent. And little wonder, pedestrian behaviour has never been worse, in particular, reading messages and texting while crossing the road or on a pedestrian crossing is out of control. If it’s good enough to book drivers with a handheld device, it should be the same for pedestrians on marked crossings. Harold Scruby, where are you.

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