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Pedestrians and motorists

The good news is that walking is one of the safest ways of getting around. The bad news is that pedestrians are, of course, extremely vulnerable in a crash involving a car. For this reason it's crucial that motorists respect the safety and rights of pedestrians.

Pedestrians at risk

While pedestrians don't actually use roads for the bulk of their travel, it's when crossing or walking along a road edge that they're most at risk of being killed or injured by a vehicle. Most pedestrian casualties occur on urban roads while the pedestrian is crossing in an unprotected area (somewhere other than a pedestrian crossing or traffic light).

Tougher speed restrictions near schools

Did you know?

Pedestrians were at fault in around 50% of crashes resulting in the death of the pedestrian during 2002-2006.

According to the Ministry of Transport, children up to 14 years old made up the highest percentage of pedestrian hospitalisations during 2002-2006. Many casualties happen while travelling to and from school, which has led to tougher speed enforcement outside schools. Police now strictly enforce the speed limit within 250 metres on each side of a school's boundaries.

The common 10 km/h speed tolerance has been dropped to 4 km/h, which means that motorists who drive past a school at 55 km/h or more in a 50 km/h area are ticketed.

AA speaking up for motorists

Mutual courtesy and care

Motorists and pedestrians need to be more aware of each other and develop a climate of mutual courtesy and care. Motorists must be especially alert for pedestrians in busy pedestrian areas such as urban streets and outside of schools.

Slow down near schools

The AA supports tougher speed restrictions near schools. To improve child safety, we'd like to see 40 km/h speed zones established at key drop off and pick up times outside schools.

Know the Road Code and keep safe

Pedestrians need to recognise that, like motorists, they are road users and have a responsibility to know the road rules. The New Zealand Road Code has specific safety requirements to protect pedestrians.

Be aware that distractions such as mobile phones and listening to music with headphones can reduce your ability to concentrate on what's happening around you, and increase your risk of being involved in an accident.