Road rules
Jaywalking or not walking straight across a road is only illegal in the city.
False: Jaywalking is illegal in the city and country. Pedestrians must not obstruct traffic by unreasonably remaining on the road and must take the shortest route across the road
It is illegal to cycle while intoxicated.
True: Cyclists must not cycle while intoxicated as bicycles are considered to be a vehicle and therefore come under the same road rules and laws as other vehicles
Pedestrians are 4 times more likely to be killed in a crash than any other road users involved in road crashes.
True: Pedestrians are at greater risk of death or serious injury than other road users involved in road crashes
Pedestrians are not permitted to walk on freeways.
True: Signage will advise pedestrians that it is illegal to walk on freeways.
It’s okay to listen to music or talk on your phone when you’re crossing roads as long as you ‘stop, look, listen’ and think before you cross.
False: Listening to music or talking on your phone causes inattention to the task of crossing the road.
Pedestrians make about 5% of those killed each year on WA roads.
False: Around 12% of all road deaths in WA each year are pedestrians.
You can walk along the road even if there is a footpath available
False: You must not walk on a road if there is a footpath available for use. If a footpath is not provided you should walk on the verge (as far away from the road as possible) facing oncoming traffi c
Wearing light coloured clothing or articles that have reflective strips such as shoes and backpacks can make you more visible in the traffic environment
True: Other road users will be more aware of your presence if you wear light or fluoro coloured articles of clothing.
Pedestrian injury is one of the leading causes of child injury and death in Australia.
True: On average around 30 children will die as a result of a road crash each year and one child is accidentally run over in their own driveway every week in Australia
A cyclist has the ‘right of way’ over a pedestrian on a shared path.
False: Cyclists must give way to pedestrians on a shared path however a pedestrian cannot intentionally obstruct a cyclist and should move to the left when the cyclist rings their bell.
Newly licensed and young drivers are often involved in road crashes.
True: 17-24 year olds are overrepresented in WA crash statistics. This is due to a number of factors – inexperience, travelling with an overloaded vehicle, speed, and alcohol.
Female pedestrians are more likely to be injured in a road crash than males
False: Males are more likely to be injured as pedestrians and in most other types of road crashes.
Pedestrians must use a pedestrian crossing if it is provided and within 20 metres of where they want to cross.
True: You must use a pedestrian crossing if you are within 20 metres of a marked crossing.
If you have been drinking alcohol at a party, walking home is the best way to get home safely.
False: Alcohol impacts your ability to make safe decisions. Alcohol contributes to pedestrian injuries and deaths and is a factor in nearly half of all pedestrian fatalities each year
A pedestrian hit by a car travelling at 30km/h has a 20% chance of surviving.
False: A pedestrian has a 95% chance of surviving if hit by a car travelling at 30km/h, a 60% chance at 50km/h and only a 20% chance at 70km/h. This is why the speed limit around schools is 40km/h.