Foot down for road safety

PEDESTRIANS and cyclists need to take extra care on the roads to stay safe, say local police.
Greater Dandenong Highway Patrol Senior Sergeant Scott Roberts said vulnerable road users were “overly involved in trauma” and they were on the roads more during the warmer months.
“Pushbike riders and pedestrians don’t have the safety features around them that car drivers do,” he said.
Sen Sgt Roberts said pushbike riders didn’t always stick to bike lanes and sometimes rode side by side in unsafe situations.
“Whilst they’re allowed to ride two abreast, I think that they need to temper that with some common sense,” he said.
“They’re very vulnerable when they’re sticking out like that.”
He urged cyclists to wear helmets and ensure their bikes were equipped with lights.
He said there were increased fines for cyclists caught disobeying red lights.
Sen Sgt Roberts said longer days and warmer weather meant more pedestrians – some of them intoxicated.
“Last year we had two fatalities that were substance affected and walked straight off the footpath in front of cars,” he said.
“They need to have their wits about them if they’re going anywhere near vehicles.”
He said this warning went for people wearing headphones as well.
“Around cars it’s not just about sight, it’s about being able to hear them coming.”