Fatal footsteps: Understanding the Safe System context behind New Zealand’s pedestrian road trauma

Abstract

In 2016 in New Zealand, pedestrians accounted for 7.6% (n=25) of all road fatalities and 6.6% (n=257) of serious injuries (Ministry of Transport, 2017). The aim of this research was to analyse a sample of pedestrian deaths and serious injury (DSI) cases to understand the contribution of Safe System gaps in serious harm outcomes. A sample of 100 pedestrian fatality and 200 serious injury crash reports from 2013-2017 were analysed to identify the contribution of the four Safe System pillars (roads and roadsides, vehicle, speed environment, user) in each crash case. The research identified common crash scenarios and highlighted the need for improvements in speed management, safer vehicles, safety campaigns, and infrastructure design. In addition, the research identified latent high-order sociotechnical system factors that obstruct the mechanisms to effectively address these Safe System issues and which ultimately perpetuate the occurrence of pedestrian DSIs.

Older pedestrians hit by motor vehicles in South Australia

“…Not only are these pedestrians crossing without protection, but they are also not paying attention to the road when they cross. Research on pedestrian-motor vehicle crashes in New Zealand by Hirsch, Mackie and McAuley (2021) also found that distraction or inattention was the most common pedestrian-implicated factor (37% of all crashes). The present study found that most pedestrians were hit in areas with speed limits of 50 and 60 km/h.…”

“…This is likely due to the increased pedestrian activity and vehicle traffic in urban areas compared to rural areas (Prato et al, 2012;Zegeer & Bushell, 2010). Hirsch et al (2021) found that 80% of pedestrian crashes occurred in urban environments of New Zealand.…”

“…Alternative barriers (e.g., trees, hedges, raised gardens and outdoor seating) produce the same effect but are more subtle and blend into the roadside aesthetics (Oxley et al, 2004). Hirsch et al (2021) demonstrated that drivers failed to stop at signalised crossings and flat zebra crossings in 13% of serious injury and 12% of fatal pedestrian crashes in New Zealand. Therefore, raised zebra crossings (i.e., vertical deflection) with warning signage would be ideal because they slow motorists.…”

“…Controlling vehicle speeds to a survivable level, through reduced speed limits and associated enforcement, is very important, particularly in metropolitan areas with high pedestrian activity. Hirsch et al (2021) suggested that pedestrians are less likely to survive impacts over 30 km/ h. This should be considered by authorities when setting speed limits. Slower vehicle speeds also improve the predictability of vehicles for pedestrians crossing the road and the control, manoeuvrability, and reaction and braking distance for drivers, thereby reducing the risk of collision (Oxley et al, 2004).…”

“…There were limitations related to the police-reported crash data. Non-injury crashes and near-misses would not be included (Hirsch et al, 2021). This will bias the results towards a greater representation of crashes that resulted in injury.…”