Walk with Care is a road safety program that addresses the issue of pedestrians over 60 years of age who are killed or injured in road crashes in South Australia.

Crashes involving older pedestrians occur mainly on routine trips to local shops and recreation venues, often within one kilometre of the person’s home.

Who is involved?

Program participants include

• older residents
• community groups
• local councils (Traffic Engineer, Community Services).
• Transport SA (WWC Program Manager, Traffic Engineer).

These groups work together to identify and reduce road dangers to older pedestrians through

• engineering improvements
• road safety awareness.

The program

Walk with Care program gives older pedestrians and community groups the opportunity to discuss local road safety issues and concerns.

The information gathered from a Walk with Care survey and discussion groups helps Transport SA and local council

• provide advice regarding existing facilities
• develop solutions to safety concerns raised by older pedestrians.

Engineering solutions, with the exception of push button pedestrian crossings are usually low cost, relatively easy to implement and highly effective. Treatments could include

• kerb extensions which narrow the width of road that pedestrians cross and improve visibility for both drivers and pedestrians
• traffic islands at intersections to assist pedestrians crossing the road and to prevent motorists from cutting corners
• trimming trees and vegetation to improve visibility
• repairs to footpaths, wheelchair ramps and potholes.

The Walk with Care program was first piloted in the City of Unley in 2000. Following its success, a new program commenced in the City of West Torrens, City of Holdfast Bay and the City of Prospect.

The following Walk with Care publications (PDF documents) will help you enjoy safer walking and wheelchair use.