SWITCH ON: Constable Scott Knijff is urging pedestrians not to be distracted by texting and listening to loud music when crossing roads. Photo: Chris McCormack
POLICE are pleading with drivers to be more wary of pedestrians following three fatalities on south side roads since March.
Three pedestrians have died since March 1, including a 74-year-old Cleveland man on April 4.
The man was struck by a sedan near the intersection of Queen and Wellington streets at 6.15pm.
He died at the scene and is one of five people killed on Redland roads this year.
Officer-in-charge of the Wynnum District Traffic Branch Senior Sergeant Neale Stoneley said he was concerned at the rising number of pedestrian deaths on Redland roads.
"I'm also concerned at the number of cyclist incidents. People need to start paying more attention," he said.
Snr Sgt Stoneley said since March 1 there had been 50 incidents in the Metropolitan South Region, which spans from Oxley to Mt Gravatt.
"Out of these, 28 involved cyclists and 22 pedestrians. In the Wynnum District, there have been eight incidents. That's 16 per cent of the whole region," he said.
"It's too high and is a concern. We just want everyone to be wary of their surroundings."
Snr Sgt Stoneley warned drivers to "pay attention" and told them to check mirrors before opening your door on a street as "you could open your door on a cyclist".
"The number one issue for pedestrians is to obey the 'don't walk' signs and to cross at designated crossings.
"It's also a big concern when pedestrians listen to loud music on iPhones or are texting when they cross a road.
"They're distracted when they have loud music blearing in their ears rather than paying attention to what's happening on the road."
Wynnum District Traffic Branch Constable Scott Knijff said accidents involving pedestrians listening to music with ear phones had risen worldwide.
"There have been accidents around the world involving pedestrians who have been hit because they were listening to music or answering their phone rather than paying attention to the road," he said.
"Ultimately it's their responsibility to pay attention to the road and traffic, just as it is the driver's responsibility too."
