Submission to: Inquiry into the impact of road safety behaviours on vulnerable road users

Streets Alive Glen Eira (SAGE) recently submitted our concerns to the Parliamentary Inquiry on road safety, highlighting the impact of road safety behaviours on vulnerable road users. SAGE raised issues regarding distracted driving, lack of awareness of road rules, high levels of driver anger, and the need for streets to prioritise all modes of transport.

We expressed personal experiences as pedestrians and cyclists, emphasising the dangerous consequences they had witnessed. We highlighted the alarming statistic that approximately one-third of drivers admitted to using their phones illegally while driving, posing a significant risk to road safety.

We also shared encounters with near misses at various locations and the lack of awareness among drivers regarding road rules. We also shed light on the aggression and hostility directed towards cyclists and pedestrians, creating a hostile environment that deters individuals from choosing active and sustainable transportation.

We call on the Victorian Government by expanding education initiatives, improved enforcement, and a people-centric approach to street design. We need pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, traffic calming measures, and reduced speed limits to create safer streets for all road users.

We believe that by implementing targeted education programs and prioritising the safety of vulnerable road users, significant improvements can be achieved in creating a safer and more equitable transportation environment.