Ask and discuss with the class their perceptions of the problems and risks that young people face when they are pedestrians. Probe factors such as gender, age, weather conditions, day of the week, month of the year, way to or from school, peer influences to act unsafely.
Show students CrashStats, an online crash database available from VicRoads (scroll down to Crash Statistics and then launch the application). Look at the statistics around pedestrian crashes in the local area or on a Victoria wide basis and ask students to discuss the statistics.
Have students write a summary report of their findings in relation to pedestrian crashes.
Invite class members to share experiences of ‘near misses’ they or a family member or friend may have had as a pedestrian where they have just avoided being injured. Discuss what is learned from ‘near misses’.
Compile (and continue to build) a class log of ‘near misses.’ Use this to discuss issues around pedestrian safety and how safety could have been improved.
Invite the class to review one of their near miss scenarios and ‘tell the story’ from the other road user’s perspective as a writing task.
What does this mean in relation to decision-making about safe walking?
What might have caused the near misses?
Do ‘near misses’ mostly occur when you are on your own, with an adult or with friends? Why could this be?
A driver must give way to any pedestrian on a pedestrian crossing, and must not overtake another vehicle which has stopped at a pedestrian crossing.
When turning at any intersection (except a roundabout), drivers must give way to any pedestrians crossing the road they are entering. At roundabouts drivers must be aware of pedestrians needing to cross, and to slow down and give them the space and time they need.
When entering or leaving a driveway or private property, drivers must give way to pedestrians and bicycles on any footpath, path or nature strip they cross.
Drivers must give way to any pedestrian at or near the stop sign or line. This includes pedestrians as well as bicycles crossing in front of them on a shared or bicycle path.