Sergeant Pat McGavigan from the Casey Highway Patrol warns pedestrians to follow the road rules, after an elderly man was killed by a car last Tuesday. 65572
By Emma Sun
AN 81-year-old man died after being hit by a car in Cranbourne Drive, Cranbourne at 5.45pm last Tuesday.
Police believe he was crossing the road when he was struck by a 1986 silver Holden sedan travelling west along the road.
He died at The Alfred hospital at 3.20pm last Friday.
Casey Highway Patrol Sergeant Pat McGavigan said speed was not an issue in the incident.
“(The death) was a result of the impact and the age of the pedestrian,” he said.
“It was dark, the car had headlights on and the driver couldn’t see (the pedestrian) and as a result of injuries sustained in the collision, he passed away.”
Sgt McGavigan said there had been a 39 per cent increase in collisions involving pedestrians in the past year between 1 February 2010 and 31 January 2011.
Serious injuries in collisions involving pedestrians have gone up by 15 per cent, from 19 to 22, other injuries have risen by 26 per cent, from 22 to 33 and non injury collisions have increased by 166 per cent, from six to 16.
Sgt McGavigan said the figures were alarming and warned pedestrians to obey the road rules, or face consequences.
“Wait for the green light at the crossings and use the crossings, they’re put there for the safety of everyone,” he said.
“Unfortunately when pedestrians are involved in accidents with vehicles they’ll lose every time.”
Pedestrians who fail to obey traffic signs will receive a $60 on the spot fine and pedestrians who walk improperly on the road will also receive a $60 on the spot fine.
“We’d rather people just obey the rules than receive the fines,” Sgt McGavigan said.
“We urge pedestrians to take care when crossing the roads.”
