All in this together: Let’s all be Vigilant Road Users

Do you know what vulnerable road user means, or what VRU stands for?

It’s the fancy name for those who use our roads outside of cars, buses, or trucks. They are ‘vulnerable’ because in a crash they don’t have the physical protection from injury that a vehicle can provide.

Pedestrians are the largest group of VRUs; at some stage every day most of us will be travelling on foot. Other VRUs are cyclists, with more than a third of Australians owning a bike, and the almost 10% of us who have a motorcycle licence.

Starting at a disadvantage

A major issue increasing risk for VRUs is that Australian cities are car-centric, and that large parts of Australian cities are not pedestrian friendly.

So when most of us travel, our first thought is what is the fastest route and where will I park? The design of our cities encourages car use. A lucky portion may have viable public transport alternatives but the complexity and time a journey takes can be a deterrent. A car provides mobility and life opportunities.

Australian vehicles are also getting larger. Overall, they may be getting safer and including new technology, but when it comes to impact and outcomes in a crash, size does matter. The scientific term is ‘level of aggressivity’, and it’s increasing across the Australian vehicle fleet. The top selling car in 2024 was the Ford Ranger and it should come as no surprise when this vehicle interacts with a VRU, particularly a pedestrian, injury is significantly worse than with a smaller vehicle.

Shared responsibility

So if our cities and towns are designed for cars and many of us spend most of our travel time in one, how often do drivers think about the risk they pose to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists?

But that’s also not to say all responsibility rests with drivers. Vulnerable road users can also contribute to increasing their own safety, and make the roads safer for all.

Drivers are encouraged to drive defensively by being aware of their surroundings, driving to the conditions and paying attention. The same philosophy can apply to VRUs, in particular pedestrians, and a defensive approach can encourage pedestrians in particular to share the responsibility and contribute to safer roads for all users.

Because regardless of the our mode of transport, nobody wants to be involved in a serious injury or a fatal incident.

Safer behaviours for pedestrians

• Be alert and pay attention to your surroundings, especially traffic.
• Weather conditions can affect driver visibility and increase the likelihood of them not seeing you.
• Cross at traffic crossings, such as traffic lights or zebra crossings. Do not run across the road and do not ‘jay walk’.
• Put away distractions when crossing. Do not be on your phone or viewing it with your eyes down.
• Don’t wear headphones, or at the very least turn the volume down so you can hear approaching traffic, so you have all of your senses on alert.
• If crossing at a give way or T-junction, ensure the driver has seen you.
• Make eye contact with drivers, especially truck drivers who may acknowledge they have seen you.
• Be particularly vigilant at night. Ideally, wear clothing that makes it easier for other road users to see you, rather than dark clothing.

Safer choices for drivers

• Be aware of pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
• Pay particular attention if pedestrians have a phone in their hand or ear plugs in; chances are they won’t see or hear you.
• Slow down and drive to slower speed limits in high-traffic areas and to the conditions.
• Identify blind spots that may prevent you seeing pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists; note blind spots may not always be behind you.
• Select vehicles with safety systems that can assist with providing improved safety for other road users by selecting Advanced Driver Assistance Systems.

These are some of our suggestions. What else can all road users do to reduce the risk for vulnerable road users?