Road safety

The safety of pedestrians is of paramount concern to the government and community members.  To assist Western Australian to walk safely, here are some important points to remember:

• Always look towards oncoming traffic
  
  
• Walk straight and with care
  
  
• Try to avoid crossing between parked cars
  
  
• Where possible, cross at designated pedestrian crossings
  
  
• Turning motorists must give way to pedestrians, but do not assume they will stop

Where there is no pedestrian crossing

Cross the road only when it’s safe to do so, by:

• Checking all nearby roads for vehicles before you cross; and
  
  
• Walking quickly straight across the road.

When crossing the road at an intersection, remember to check behind and in front for turning vehicles.

When crossing at night, cross near a street light if you can.

When getting off a bus, wait until it has moved away before checking for moving vehicles.

If you need to cross the road between parked vehicles:

• Select a gap between two parked cars which have no drivers.
  
  
• Walk out as far as the headlight nearest the traffic of one of the parked vehicles. 
  
  
• Check for moving vehicles, and wait for a gap in the traffic before crossing the road.

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Where there is a pedestrian crossing

The pedestrian crossings must be used to cross a road if you are within 20 metres of the crossing.

When crossing:

• Ensure you do not step out suddenly.
  
  
• Make eye contact with the driver of the vehicle to alert them you are crossing.
  
  
• Walk quickly on the crossing.

When crossing with pedestrian crossing traffic signal:

• Wait a step or two back from the kerb.
  
  
• When the green light or pedestrian walk signal lights up, check the traffic has stopped before stepping onto the road
  
  
• If the red walk signal begins to flash, finish crossing the road.

When a police officer is directing traffic, their signals overrule traffic and pedestrian signals.  Please wait for their direction.

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Crossing a railway line

• Use the pedestrian maze crossing and look both ways before crossing.
  
  
• If the gates are closed for a train to pass by – wait for the automatic gates to completely open, and then cross in safety.

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Where there is a courtesy crossing

A courtesy crossing is usually made of bricks or paving and are not official pedestrian crossings.  They provide a place where motorists can stop safely to allow pedestrians to cross.  Motorists are NOT obliged to stop at courtesy crossings, so use them with care.

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