A new road safety campaign is reminding Kiama’s pedestrians to ‘look out before you step out’.
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Pedestrians should never assume drivers can see them, or will stop for them, as their vision may be affected by sunlight or poor visibility caused by the weather or nearby cars.
- Janelle Burns
Kiama Municipal Council’s road safety officer Janelle Burns said council was installing brightly-coloured footpath decals at crossings that tell pedestrians to ‘look out before you step out’ as well as asking ‘where’s your head at?’
“The decals are designed to catch people’s attention just before they cross the road,” Ms Burns said.
“They are especially designed to stop people on mobile phones walking out into traffic without looking.
“It’s important to have your head in the moment and make safe decisions with crossing the road.
“Watch out for turning cars, cars entering and leaving driveways and be mindful at all times when crossing the road.
“Keep looking, listening and checking for cars, motorbikes and cyclists as you cross the road.”
Ms Burns said the ‘look out before you step out’ campaign was targeting pedestrian safety on higher risk urban roads.
“Kiama and surrounding villages have a relaxed atmosphere, but during holidays and weekends they can be very busy with visiting tourists.
“That often means high volumes of traffic and pedestrians, when it is even more important to be concentrating when crossing roads.
“That means getting off the mobile, picking a safe place to cross such as a marked crossing, having a look around, then walk - don’t run.
“Pedestrians should never assume drivers can see them, or will stop for them, as their vision may be affected by sunlight or poor visibility caused by the weather or nearby cars.”
Ms Burns said there was an even spread of pedestrian fatalities and serious injuries across all age groups, although men make up the majority of victims.
The ‘look out before you step out’ campaign is being conducted by Kiama Municipal Council in partnership with Transport for NSW and Roads and Maritime Services.