Pedestrian deaths on the rise

MOTORISTS have been urged to slow down and keep their eyes on the road after a shocking surge in the number of pedestrians mowed down by cars across Victoria.

Transport Accident Commission figures reveal that 29 pedestrians have been killed so far this year compared to 23 over the entirety of 2017.

At least two pedestrians are now seriously hurt walking to the shops or work every day, with 776 people sent to hospital last year alone.

A chain of sickening incidents over the past few months have prompted authorities to speak out and call for a change in attitudes from both motorists and pedestrians alike.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Michael Grainger, of Victoria Police’s Road Policing Command, said there was one easy solution.

“It’s simple, look up and look out for one another,” he said. “What we can’t ignore is that while the overall number of ‘lives lost’ has decreased this year — our pedestrian deaths have not and we have to ask ourselves why.”

Last year, 67 per cent of all pedestrian deaths were in speed zones of 60km/h or less.

The statistics is all too real for Marlene Beck, who still gets shivers when walking near the Essendon intersection where she was struck by a car in April. The 80-year-old was crossing Buckley St on her way to the shops when a motorist driving in the wrong lane ploughed through the pedestrian crossing.

“I spent 10 days seriously hurt in the hospital and there was nothing the doctors were able to do in terms of surgery because I was too old,” she said.

“I’m doing a year of physiotherapy and because I was quite active I really do miss the ability to walk properly and move around.

“The driver of the car was given a $370 fine and three demerit points. It shocked me when I first heard that because the accident has changed my life forever.”