Staying safe as a pedestrian
Pedestrian safety is a matter of using your eyes, ears, judgment and common sense.
Things a pedestrian should do
As a pedestrian you should:
- use traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, pedestrian refuges, and overpasses and underpasses
- establish eye contact with drivers to ensure you have been seen
- when crossing the road, walk straight across
- keep scanning for oncoming traffic while crossing the road
- set a good example for children and other pedestrians by always crossing the road at a crossing or at traffic lights
Things a pedestrian should not do
As a pedestrian you should not:
- avoid crossing a road near the crest of a hill or on a bend
- step off the kerb onto the road until the traffic has stopped or cleared
- emerge onto the road from between parked vehicles where drivers may not be able to see you
Staying safe as a cyclist
As a cyclist you should:
- slow down and be aware of pedestrians crossing near schools, shopping centres and other pedestrian areas
- never assume that a pedestrian or driver has seen you
- think about whether any approaching drivers can see you before changing lanes or making a turn on the road
- make eye contact with drivers if possible
- wear reflective clothing or something light in colour, this is especially important at night
- have a front and rear light on your bicycle, and turn these lights on if you are riding in the evening or in low light
Reviewed 15 June 2021