Summary:
People who use walking as their primary transport, and who occupy and reside in public spaces are at greatest risk of pedestrian crashes. We see this across Australia and the world. In the Northern Territory pedestrian crashes account for 23.1% of road fatalities compared to 13.7% nationally. This study uses ten years of pedestrian crashes records and hospital admissions, alongside interviews with people with professional and lived experience of pedestrian crashes or exposure to pedestrian crash risk factors, to understand why pedestrian crashes happen in the NT and how they might be prevented. This study was funded by the Northern Territory Motor Accident Compensation Commission (MACC).
Our research has found:
Visibility is a major factor in the severity of pedestrian crashes in the NT. Compared to daylight, the odds of a fatal crash occurring are 10.90 times higher at dawn/dusk and 10.99 times higher on dark roads without streetlights.
Speed limits are important for crash outcomes. The odds of a pedestrian crash resulting in a fatality on NT roads increases by 3.3% for every 1km/h increase in designated road speed.
Almost one in five (19%) pedestrian crashes were a hit and run.
Looking at the hotspots where pedestrian crashes happen, many of these are locations with high foot traffic, where people have to cross busy, high-speed roads to access shops or bus-stops, and which feature alcohol and grocery outlets.
Pedestrian crashes were 65 times more likely to end in fatality and three times more likely to end in severe injury when alcohol was involved (for either the pedestrian and/or driver). Reducing drink driving and keeping people safe from high-speed roads while they are intoxicated is a priority for reducing pedestrian injury and deaths.
There are many complex health and social factors that lead to people being on or near roads and at risk of pedestrian crashes. These factors include inequitable access to transport, housing, accommodation, services, and healthcare. Addressing the social, cultural and economic determinants of health and wellbeing will improve road safety for all Territorians.
Implications for policy and practice:
Pedestrian injuries and deaths often occur in a perfect storm of factors involving road conditions (i.e. poor visibility, high speed limits), factors related to the driver (i.e. alcohol or drug use, post-crash behaviour) and factors related to the pedestrian (presence on or near roads, physical and mental health, alcohol and drug use). Reducing or removing one factor may prevent a crash or reduce the severity of outcome if it does occur.
Chief Investigator
Project Manager
Contact info
Projects dates
- February 2024 – July 2025
Funders
- Motor Accident Compensation Commission
Collaborators
- Prof Kylie Lee
- Royce Ramsamy
- Carol Christophersen
- Dr Geetanjali Lamba
- Dr Abel Dadi
- Ms Ruth Canty
- Ms Felicity Wardle