Look out before you step out for a safer Shoalhaven
Published on 11 November 2020
Shoalhaven City Council has partnered with Coastal Waters Retirement Village on a pedestrian road safety campaign with the aim to reduce the number and severity of casualty crashes involving pedestrians in the Shoalhaven LGA.
Each year, more than 1500 pedestrians are hit or injured on NSW roads. From 2015-2019, there were 4 fatal and 18 serious injury casualty crashes involving pedestrians in the Shoalhaven LGA. 31% of the pedestrian casualties were aged 60 and over.
In light of these findings, Coastal Waters Retirement Village sought to collaborate with Shoalhaven City Council on introducing pedestrian safety improvements throughout the Village after seeing the Look out Before you Step Out Campaign which aims to increase awareness of pedestrian safety.
The campaign, funded by Transport for NSW creates awareness at high pedestrian activity locations to remind pedestrians to stop and look before crossing the road. Mayor Amanda Findley supported the collaboration between Council and Coastal Waters Retirement Village.
“The Look Out Before you Step Out message is something that we can all get behind, to ensure pedestrian safety is at the forefront of our mind when out and about.
“The vinyl decals installed at Coastal Waters Retirement Village help to raise awareness of the 'Look out before you step out' rule for pedestrians when crossing the road and when using a mobile phone when walking in the Village,” Mayor Findley said.
Michael Deane, Coastal Waters Village Manager embraced the program after collaborating the campaign idea with employees Michael Burke and the staff at Coastal Waters to target locations of high pedestrian activities within the Coastal Waters Retirement Village.
“Coastal Waters Retirement village comprises of 359 two and three bedroom villas and is home to over 500 residents. 15 different streets and parades flow throughout the village and the various footpaths and crossings that intersect each other effectively make up its own walking track of more than 4 kilometres when used by residents as exercise routes.
“There is a number of cross streets and walkways and using the Look Out Before You step Out vinyls will add great benefit in helping our residents and guests of the village to think before they cross the road. With over 500 residents and a fully functioning Aged Care Facility on the grounds here, the car movements within the village is very frequent and we are always looking to improve the traffic flow and safety throughout the village,” said Mr Deane.