Older pedestrians hit by motor vehicles in the Australian Capital Territory

Abstract

Older pedestrians are a growing and vulnerable road user group. They have an increased risk of serious or fatal injury if hit by a motor vehicle. Pedestrian safety is influenced by the design of the road system and available infrastructure. The capital city of Australia, Canberra, is a planned and walkable city. However, the road system may not be optimal for pedestrian safety. This report examined the number of older pedestrians (65 years and over) hit by motor vehicles in the Australian Capital Territory, with comparisons made to the number of younger adult pedestrians (18 to 64 years) hit by motor vehicles. Characteristics of the collisions, information related to the locations where they occurred, and the pedestrian injury outcomes were also examined to understand the crashes, in the context of the ACT and its infrastructure. Police-reported data for pedestrian-vehicle crashes in the ACT (2011 to 2020) were analysed. Fewer older pedestrians were hit by motor vehicles between 2011 and 2020 than younger adult pedestrians. However, they had similar rates of being hit per 10,000 population and older pedestrians had a higher overall rate of serious and fatal injury than younger adult pedestrians. Older pedestrians were more likely walking during daylight hours and on the footpath when hit compared to younger adult pedestrians, who were more likely walking at night when hit. Older pedestrians were more likely hit at uncontrolled road locations, while younger adult pedestrians were more likely hit at traffic lights and marked pedestrian crossings. GPS locations highlighted that pedestrians were commonly hit in the Canberra CBD. Police narratives and GPS locations were examined in detail for older pedestrians seriously or fatally injured from being hit to understand the crashes and determine whether the road design at the locations were adequate for pedestrian safety and what improvements could be made.