More than 180 infringement notices were issued following two pedestrian compliance operations conducted across the Sydney area.
Officers from the Traffic and Highway Patrol Command conducted the two-day proactive Operation Focus in the North Sydney, Chatswood and Crows Nest areas, which concluded today (Friday 26 July 2019).
The operation aimed to reduce the risk of collisions involving pedestrians through education and enforcement at locations identified as high-risk areas.
During the operation, officers issued 56 pedestrian infringement notices and 46 traffic & bicycle infringement notices.
At the same time, Leichhardt Highway Patrol officers conducted a similar pedestrian compliance operation across Newtown and near the Broadway shopping complex between 7.30am and 1pm yesterday (Thursday 25 July 2019).
During that operation, officers issued 80 cross when traffic control light is not green infringement notices for pedestrians, four bicycle infringement notices for riding on the footpath and helmet offences, and four other traffic infringement notices.
So far this year, there have been 35 pedestrians that have died on NSW roads.
Police urge pedestrians to:
- Always use pedestrian crossings;
- Never assume that an approaching vehicle can see you, or will stop for you – wait until all vehicles have stopped before you cross;
- At intersections, check for turning vehicles before you leave the kerb, and while you are crossing the road;
- Avoid crossing between parked cars or at the front or back of buses;
- Wear bright, light coloured clothing at night or in reduced visibility conditions;
- Avoid using a mobile phone or portable media player (so you can hear vehicles and concentrate on crossing the road);
- At traffic lights, make sure that vehicles stop before you start to cross, and don't enter the road if vehicles are moving through the crossing or if the red don't walk signal shows. Pedestrian countdown timers show how many seconds you have left to finish crossing before oncoming vehicles will be given a green light. If you haven't started to cross, the countdown timers can help you decide if it's safe to do so.
Drivers, riders and cyclists are urged to:
- Slow down on roads where there are likely to be heavy pedestrian traffic, especially near schools and shopping centres; near hotels where there are likely to be pedestrians who have been drinking;
- Be aware that pedestrians are hard to see at night and in poor weather;
- Don't assume that a pedestrian has seen you and will wait for you to go past;
- Be mindful that vulnerable pedestrians may need extra time to cross – children can be difficult to see and may act unpredictably;
- Be conscious of the potential for pedestrians who may be affected by a substance, particularly during late hours.
