Vulnerable Road Users Campaign

In road safety terminology, pedestrians, cyclists and others who are more at risk in a collision with a motor vehicle are known as vulnerable road users. The term can also include young people, the elderly, people with disabilities, Indigenous people, people from a non English speaking background and international tourists.

A high number of pedestrian fatalities has led to the development of a road safety campaign aimed at increasing the awareness of motorists and vulnerable road users of their mutual obligations when using the road.

Four television commercials have been produced, using local talent and expertise, which are aimed at changing people’s attitudes and behaviour on the roads, so that all road users do more than simply obey the rules. The commercials commenced screening in late November 2005 and continued into January 2006.

 

Click here to view the Vulnerable Road Users Campaign television commercials.

 

The key messages of the campaign were that the road is a shared environment and road safety is a shared responsibility. In a crash, motor vehicles are likely to do the most damage to other road users. Vulnerable road users also have a responsibility to take care in the road environment. On the road, cyclists have the same rights as car drivers, but must also obey the same rules.

Drivers need to expect the unexpected, adopting safe driving practices to allow greater margins for error. People do not deserve to die because they make an error. Elderly people, children, and people affected by alcohol can act in an unpredictable manner. People from remote and rural communities are not always accustomed to the speed and volume of traffic in urban areas.

We share the roads. So, let’s look out for each other.

For more information contact the Road Safety Branch of the Department of Planning and Infrastructure.