We’re all pedestrians, whether you’re walking to work, crossing a car park, or taking the kids to school. However, despite how routine it is, simply walking near traffic can carry life-changing risks.
Hundreds of people are struck by vehicles on Australian roads every year, many suffering serious injuries or losing their lives. So why isn’t more being done to protect people on foot?
In this guide, we go through the latest trends in pedestrian accidents and injuries across Australia. We’ll also explore what’s contributing to the danger, and explain the support available if you or someone you love has been affected.
Recent Pedestrian Fatality Trends: A Concerning Uptick
After years of gradual improvement, Australian pedestrian fatalities have shown a concerning uptick in recent years, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Annual Pedestrian Fatalities (2018-2024)
Source: Australian Road Deaths Database (BITRE) and provisional 2024 data
Yet, the long-term trend has experienced a decline in pedestrian fatalities since the 1990s, with annual pedestrian deaths falling by about 60% from 398 in 1995 to 158 in 2023. However, if we zoom in, the short-term trend (2018-2024) shows a more complex pattern:
- Pandemic Impact: A sharp drop in 2020-2021 during COVID-19 lockdowns (down to 138 and 133 deaths respectively).
- Post-Pandemic Rebound: A return to pre-pandemic levels in 2022 (162 deaths).
- Recent Increase: Preliminary 2024 data shows a further uptick to 167 pedestrian fatalities, the highest in over a decade.
The recent rise in pedestrian fatalities reflects a broader increase in road deaths across Australia between 2022 and 2024. It’s sparked fresh concern that the country may fall short of its National Road Safety Strategy goal to halve road deaths by 2030.
Pedestrian Injuries: Beyond the Fatalities
Of course, fatalities represent the most severe outcomes. Yet, non-fatal pedestrian injuries are rising too, up to thousands each year. For example:
- Hospitalised Injuries: In 2023, there were approximately 2,334 hospitalised pedestrian injuries.
- Stable Pre-Pandemic Trend: From 2011 to 2019, annual pedestrian hospitalisations were fairly stable at around 2,600-2,700 per year.
- Pandemic Drop: In 2020, hospitalised pedestrian injuries fell to about 2,103 during COVID-19 restrictions.
- Post-Pandemic Increase: 2023 saw an estimated 2,334 hospitalised pedestrian injuries, about 11% higher than the previous year.
Not every pedestrian injury ends in hospital, but that doesn’t mean the impact is minor. For every serious case, there are likely many more unreported or less severe injuries that still disrupt lives. When you add it all up, thousands of pedestrians are injured each year in Australia, placing a significant strain on individuals and the broader health system.
State and Territory Variations
Location, location, location. Where you live can make a big difference to how safe it is to walk. Pedestrian injury rates vary widely across Australia, shaped by everything from population size to how walkable our cities and suburbs really are.
Five-Year Pedestrian Fatality Totals by State (2019-2023)
Source: National Road Safety Data Hub
It’s no surprise that New South Wales consistently suffers the highest number of pedestrian deaths, simply because it has the largest population. However, when comparing the five-year period 2019-2023 to the preceding five years (2014-2018), some interesting patterns emerge, such as:
- Improvement in Some States: NSW saw a 22% reduction (down from 296 to 230 five-year total), and Queensland and the Northern Territory also recorded declines.
- Worsening in Others: Victoria had a slight increase (186 up to 194), while South Australia, Tasmania, and the ACT also saw small rises in their five-year totals.
Urban vs Rural Differences
Unsurprisingly, a significant share of pedestrian fatalities occur in urban areas (where pedestrian activity is highest). However, rural crashes are disproportionately deadly:
- In 2023, 51% of pedestrian deaths occurred in Australia's major cities.
- The other 49% were in regional or rural areas, even though far fewer people walk regularly in those locations.
- Rural pedestrian incidents often involve higher speed roads, which contribute to greater injury severity.
Demographics: Age, Gender, and At-Risk Groups
To make our streets safer, we first need to understand who’s most at risk. Identifying vulnerable groups is key to designing safety measures that actually make a difference.
Age Groups at Risk
When you break down pedestrian crash data by age, a clear pattern emerges: young children and older adults are the most vulnerable. Additionally, middle-aged adults experience the highest number of incidents, simply because they’re out walking more often.
- Highest Number of Fatalities: Adults in the 40-64 age bracket had the highest number of pedestrian fatalities nationally (200 deaths from 2019-2023)
- Lowest Fatality Count: Children under 8 years old (only 27 deaths in 5 years), likely reflecting improvements in school zone safety and supervision.
- Emerging Concern: Deaths in the 26-39 age group have risen sharply in recent years.
- Elderly Vulnerability: Older pedestrians (65+ years) face higher risks due to age-related frailty, making them less likely to survive being struck by a vehicle.
Gender Disparities
Men make up a disproportionately high number of pedestrian injuries, a trend that mirrors what we see across most types of road trauma.
- Nationally, roughly 60% of pedestrian fatalities are male.
- A South Australian analysis for 2019-2023 found 55% of pedestrians killed or seriously injured were male vs 45% female.
- The gender gap is less pronounced in older age groups, partly because women live longer on average (more elderly female pedestrians).
High-Risk Groups
Some people face higher risks than others when it comes to pedestrian safety, and understanding who they are is the first step toward better protection. For example:
- Intoxicated Pedestrians: A South Australian study found that of fatally injured pedestrians tested for alcohol (2019-2023), 31% had a blood alcohol content ≥0.05 (the legal driving limit).
- People with Vision Impairments: Those with limited vision face challenges navigating streets safely.
- Mobility Aid Users: People using wheelchairs or mobility scooters often move more slowly and may be less visible to drivers.
- Distracted Pedestrians: Those using mobile phones while crossing roads face increased risks.
Common Injury Types in Pedestrian Accidents
When a vehicle hits a pedestrian, the outcome is rarely minor. With nothing to shield the body, injuries are often serious and sometimes life-changing. The most common include:
Head and Brain Injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a leading cause of pedestrian fatality.
- Being struck often causes the pedestrian's head to hit the vehicle or ground.
- Injuries range from concussions to severe brain hemorrhages.
Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Fractures of the legs, pelvis, and arms are extremely common.
- The bumper of a car typically strikes a pedestrian's lower limbs, causing fractures to the tibia/fibula or knees.
- Research shows that in adult pedestrian casualties, musculoskeletal injuries were the most common injury type (41.4% of injuries).
Torso Injuries
- Severe impacts can cause broken ribs, collapsed lungs, liver or spleen lacerations, and internal bleeding.
- These often occur if the pedestrian is thrown onto the hood or windshield.
Spinal Injuries
- Less common than limb injuries, but potentially catastrophic.
- A pedestrian can sustain spinal fractures or spinal cord injury if they are thrown and land badly.
However, injury patterns differ by age group. For example, in children, head and neck injuries are the most common (34.6%). This is followed by musculoskeletal (22.2%), while in adults, musculoskeletal injuries dominate, followed by head injuries.
What Causes Pedestrian Accidents?
To prevent pedestrian accidents, we need to understand what’s really causing them in the first place. Only then can we create solutions that actually keep people safe.
Vehicle Speed: The Critical Factor
How fast a vehicle is going when it hits a pedestrian, also known as impact speed, makes all the difference. Speed is the biggest factor in whether someone walks away, or doesn't.
- The probability of a pedestrian being killed if struck at 30 km/h is around 10%.
- At 50 km/h, the fatality probability exceeds 90%.
- In Australia, about 90% of pedestrian fatalities occur on roads with speed limits of 50 km/h or higher.
The above is why it is important to enforce speeding rules on the road. It really is a matter of life and death.
Time of Day and Lighting
What time someone gets hit also makes a big difference. Unsurprisingly, pedestrian crashes are more frequent in low-light or dark conditions:
- Most pedestrian fatalities occur between 6 PM and midnight.
- Darkness makes it harder for drivers to see pedestrians, especially if they are not wearing bright or reflective clothing.
- Alcohol consumption tends to be higher at night (for both drivers and pedestrians), compounding the risk.
Location of Crossing
Where a pedestrian chooses to cross the road also greatly affects risk:
- Mid-block Locations: In South Australia, 71% of pedestrian fatal and serious injury crashes occurred at mid-block road sections with no intersecting road or crossing.
- Intersections: About 29% of serious pedestrian crashes occurred at intersections, with the majority of those (60%) taking place at intersections without traffic signals.
Pedestrian Behavior
Not all pedestrian accidents are caused by drivers, risky decisions by people on foot can also play a role. Distraction, impatience, or misjudging traffic are common factors in many incidents.
- Distraction: Crossing inattentively while using a mobile phone or wearing headphones
- Jaywalking: Crossing in gaps in traffic rather than at a crosswalk
- Misjudgment: Underestimating the speed of approaching vehicles
- Alcohol Impairment: Intoxicated pedestrians may make poor decisions or walk unpredictably
Driver Behavior
In many cases, it’s the driver who’s at fault. Speeding, distraction, or failing to give way are common causes of pedestrian crashes linked to driver error or negligence.
- Failure to Yield: Not giving way to pedestrians at crossings or intersections.
- Distracted Driving: Using a phone or being otherwise inattentive.
- Speeding: Driving too fast to stop in time when a pedestrian appears.
- Impairment: Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
Environmental Factors
Where a crash happens matters. Poor lighting, lack of footpaths, and unsafe crossings can all increase the risk for pedestrians.
- Poor Visibility: Rain, fog, or glare from the sun can reduce drivers' ability to see pedestrians
- Road Design: Wide multi-lane roads without pedestrian crossings encourage risky crossing behavior
- Lack of Infrastructure: Missing sidewalks, refuge islands, or pedestrian signals increases risk
Vehicles Involved in Pedestrian Crashes
Not all vehicles pose the same risk to pedestrians. Larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks are far more likely to cause serious harm in a collision than smaller cars.
Cars and Light Vehicles
- Cars are by far the most common colliding vehicle in pedestrian injuries and fatalities.
- Light passenger vehicles (sedans, SUVs, vans) make up nearly two-thirds of vehicles involved in fatal pedestrian crashes.
Heavy Vehicles (Trucks and Buses)
- Trucks are involved in about one in six fatal pedestrian crashes
- The rate of pedestrian fatalities per registered vehicle is much higher for trucks than for cars – one analysis found trucks in Australia were involved in 5.2 pedestrian deaths per 10,000 registered vehicles, compared to 2.5 per 10,000 for cars
Motorcycles
- Motorcycles and scooters can hit pedestrians as well, though typically they account for a smaller share of crashes.
- A fast-moving motorbike in an urban street can be as deadly as a car.
E-Scooters and Personal Mobility Devices
A new player enters: Electric scooters have emerged as a new factor in pedestrian injuries. These risks include:
- A hospital study in Melbourne found that in 2022, nine pedestrians were brought to the emergency department after being hit by e-scooters.
- Queensland's trauma registry noted e-scooter-related presentations to emergency departments almost doubled from 691 in 2021 to 1,273 in 2023.
Impact of COVID-19 on Pedestrian Safety
The COVID-19 pandemic briefly changed the way we moved, and that included a noticeable dip in pedestrian accidents. However, that was short lived, and as restrictions eased and traffic returned, so did the risks.
- Record Lows During Lockdowns: Australia saw pedestrian fatalities drop to record lows (138 in 2020 and just 133 in 2021).
- Hospitalisations Drop: Hospitalised pedestrian injuries fell by approximately 20% in 2020.
- Post-Pandemic Rebound: By 2022, pedestrian deaths climbed back up to pre-2020 levels (around 160+ deaths).
- Concerning Trend: 2024 marked a worrying increase to 167 pedestrian fatalities, about 7% higher than 2023.
This pattern was mirrored globally, with many countries seeing temporary improvements during lockdowns followed by a rebound as normal activity resumed.
Policy and Safety Initiatives
Across Australia, a range of strategies have been rolled out to make walking safer, from lower speed limits in busy areas to better crossings and public awareness campaigns.
Speed Management
- Reduction of default urban speed limits from 60 km/h to 50 km/h in built-up areas (resulting in a 24% reduction in crashes with injuries in South Australia).
- Introduction of 40 km/h zones in city centers and high pedestrian activity areas.
- Trials of 30 km/h zones in some locations (Melbourne has trialed 30 km/h in parts of the CBD).
Infrastructure Improvements
- Installation of new pedestrian crossings, refuge islands, and signals at high-risk locations.
- Adjusting traffic signal timing to give pedestrians a head-start or longer crossing times.
- Upgrading street lighting at crosswalks and along footpaths.
- Creating pedestrian zones and shared spaces in city centers.
Vehicle Safety Technology
- Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) that can detect pedestrians is now required for a 5-star ANCAP safety rating.
- Modern vehicle designs include features like hood designs that cushion pedestrian impacts.
Education and Awareness Campaigns
- "Stop, Look, Listen, Think" campaigns aimed at children.
- Campaigns addressing phone distraction with messages like "Heads Up! Phones Down".
- Targeted education around alcohol and pedestrian safety.
Compensation and Support Options
If you’ve been hit while walking, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. Depending on your situation, there may be several support options available to help with medical costs, lost income, and recovery.
Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation
If you’ve been hit by a motor vehicle while walking, you may be entitled to motor and car accident compensation through a few different pathways, including:
- Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance claims: Even as a pedestrian, you're covered by the CTP insurance of the vehicle that hit you
- Public liability claims: If poor infrastructure or hazardous conditions contributed to the accident
- Common law damages claims: For negligence by drivers or other parties
Depending on the severity of your injuries, these claims can help cover medical bills, rehab costs, lost wages, and in more serious cases, compensation for pain and suffering.
Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) Claims
If a pedestrian injury leaves you unable to return to work, you may be able to access a Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) benefit through your superannuation. Most Australian super funds include TPD cover by default, but payout amounts can vary depending on your policy.
For many people hit by a vehicle, this type of support can be life-changing, especially when injuries like spinal damage or traumatic brain injury affect long-term employment and financial stability.
Medical and Rehabilitation Support
After a serious incident, injured pedestrians often need more than just medical treatment, they may also rely on:
- Emergency medical treatment
- Hospital stays
- Rehabilitation services
- Assistive devices (wheelchairs, walkers)
- Home modifications if mobility is affected
- Long-term care for severe cases
Recommendations for Improving Pedestrian Safety
Based on the statistics and trends, several approaches could enhance pedestrian safety in Australia, including:
Creating Safer Speed Environments
- Continue to lower speed limits in areas with high pedestrian activity
- Implement traffic calming measures (speed bumps, chicanes, raised crossings)
- Enforce speed limits strictly in pedestrian-dense zones
Enhancing Visibility and Awareness
- Improve street lighting at crossings and along pedestrian routes
- Run public education campaigns about pedestrian visibility at night
- Encourage pedestrians to wear bright or reflective clothing in low-light conditions
Reducing Distraction
- Target both driver and pedestrian distraction through education
- Continue enforcement of mobile phone use while driving
- Implement visual cues at crossings to alert distracted pedestrians
Addressing Alcohol-Related Risks
- Locate safe crossing points near entertainment venues
- Improve late-night public transport options
- Run targeted campaigns about the dangers of intoxicated walking near roads
Managing E-Scooters and New Mobility Devices
- Create clear rules for where and how e-scooters can operate
- Designate separated paths where possible
- Enforce speed limits for these devices in shared spaces
International Comparisons
Australia's pedestrian safety record sits in the middle of the pack among high-income nations:
- In 2021, pedestrians represented about 12-13% of Australia's road deaths
- This is lower than in some European and Asian countries where more travel is on foot (Japan: 35.4% of road deaths)
- Australia's annual pedestrian death count (around 150-170) is higher in absolute terms than the UK's (around 400), despite the UK having more than double Australia's population
Some of the best-performing countries like Norway, Sweden, and the Netherlands have achieved remarkable results through Vision Zero policies, extensive traffic calming, and high pedestrian priority. Oslo, for example, has had years with zero pedestrian or cyclist deaths.
Walking the Line: What’s Next for Pedestrian Safety in Australia
Australia’s pedestrian safety landscape is difficult. While long-term trends point to progress, the recent rise in fatalities since the pandemic is a worrying step backward.
The numbers tell a clear story: older adults, people affected by alcohol, and other vulnerable groups face far greater risks, especially when speed is involved. And with the rise of new mobility devices like e-scooters, the path forward is more complicated than ever.
Still, there’s hope. With the right mix of lower urban speed limits, smarter infrastructure, public education, and emerging technologies, Australia can turn things around. The goal is ambitious, halving road deaths by 2030, but with a coordinated, evidence-based approach, it’s within reach.
Get Legal Support
If you or a loved one has been injured as a pedestrian in a road accident, seeking legal advice can make a significant difference to your recovery and compensation outcomes. Understanding your rights and options is crucial, especially when dealing with insurance companies or pursuing TPD claims through superannuation.
For further information or to discuss your specific situation, you can request a free case review or call Smith's Lawyers at 1800 960 482.
Key Resources
- National Road Safety Data Hub - Comprehensive statistics on pedestrian accidents
- Australian Pedestrian Council - Advocacy for pedestrian safety and rights
- ANCAP Safety Ratings - Information on vehicle safety features protecting pedestrians
- Australian Road Research Board - Research on pedestrian safety infrastructure
