Queensland Road Safety Week: 26-30 August 2024
Safe walkways and crossings, attentive driving.
As we join the community in recognising Road Safety Week, Queensland Walks is keen to shine a light on the importance of creating safe, accessible, and enjoyable walking environments for everyone. Queensland Walks encourages the promotion and enforcement of safe driving practices.
Queensland Road Safety Week 26 -30th August is a time to reflect on the safety of those who choose to walk, roll and stroll. To encourage more people to walk, we need to ensure there are safe walking environments, and we are practicing safe driving where people walk, roll and stroll.
The importance of safe pathways and crossings
Safe and well-maintained pathways and safe crossings are essential in every street, in every neighbourhood. Footpaths, pathways and crossings provide communities with the space they need to walk comfortably. Connected and well-maintained pathways help ensure that walking is a viable option for everyone, and safe crossings allow people walking to get to where they need to go: to the bus stop or train, pick up bread or milk or to get the kids to school.
Ideally, Raised Priority Crossings are best practice options for ensuring that people walking, rolling and strolling are safe and considered a priority.
Raised Priority Crossing
Follow the Road Rules
Giving way to people who walk, roll and stroll: As a driver, it’s crucial that we drive carefully, slowly, and pay attention to where roads intersect with pathways particularly at driveways, side streets and intersections. These are often the areas where people who walk are most vulnerable. We need to be particularly vigilant when approaching crossings and side streets. It’s important to remember that drivers need to give way to pedestrians.
“When you are entering or leaving a road from private property or a driveway, you must give way to pedestrians or bicycle and personal mobility device riders on the footpath or road.
You must also give way to any vehicles on the road you are entering. These rules apply whether you are driving forward or in reverse.”
It’s important as a walker to be as predictable and be prepared for driver mistakes. If you see a driver error, we encourage you to report these to Queensland Police Service.
And for those designing and maintaining our roads, incorporating features like Raised Priority Crossings, clear signage, and adequate lighting can greatly enhance the safety of these areas.
This is why it’s vital that our road rules and urban design prioritise community safety, ensuring that vehicles give way to people who walk.
Looking ahead: what we can all do
Let’s take this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to creating safer walking environments across Queensland. We can all contribute by:
1. Practicing safe road habits: Drivers can make a big difference by slowing down, adhering to Road Rules, and being extra cautious at side roads. Remember the signposted speed is a speed limit, not a target or challenge.
2. Advocating for pedestrian-friendly infrastructure: Whether it’s in your local community or state owned road, supporting initiatives that prioritise pedestrian safety can lead to real and positive changes.
3. Engaging with local councils in your local neighbourhood, and organisations about walking, rolling and strolling. Share your thoughts and experiences with your local council and with your elected leaders. Your input is invaluable in shaping the future of our streets.
WATCH OUR QUEENSLAND WALKS ‘SEE IT FROM THE OTHER SIDE’ VIDEO
At Queensland Walks, we’re dedicated to ensuring that walking is a safe, enjoyable, and accessible option for everyone. Let’s step forward together, not just during Queensland Road Safety Week, but every day, to make Queensland a better place to walk.
