Pedestrians

Willoughby has a higher percentage of pedestrian casualties than the state average. Council is committed to educating those on foot and in cars to bring these numbers down.

Safety Tips for Pedestrians

• Don’t be distracted by things like phones or music players
• Cross at marked crossings or traffic lights
• At traffic lights cross only when the pedestrian signal is green; do not start to cross when the red light flashes
• Before you cross a road, think about whether a driver can see you
• Never assume a vehicle will stop for you
• Don’t cross between parked cars or in front of buses
• If there are no footpaths, walk facing the oncoming traffic
• Children eight years and under should hold an adult’s hand at all times; children ten years and under should hold an adult’s hand when crossing the road

Safety Tips for Drivers

• Pedestrians have the right to share the road
• You are legally required to give way to pedestrians on pedestrian crossings and when turning at intersections
• Pedestrians have right of way in the road into which you are turning
• Watch out for pedestrians at all times, especially around school zones and in the high pedestrian areas

Safety Initiatives

The 40km/h high pedestrian zone in the Chatswood CBD area is one of Council's pedestrian safety initiatives. The area is bounded by and includes Albert Ave, most of Victor Street, Neridah Street, part of Victoria Ave, Daisy, Anderson and Wilson Streets, and the Pacific Highway, although the highway is excluded from the 40km/h restriction. Research shows that a car travelling 50km/h is twice as likely to kill a pedestrian as one travelling at 40km/h.

The Watch Out Cars About campaign encourages pedestrians to be aware of dangers in their environment and the number of casualties in the area.