Pedestrians are the most vulnerable group to consider in any kind of vehicular collision. They are entirely unprotected from the kinetic force that could be several tons and could be increased further dependent upon the speed of the vehicle. In many cases, these accidents occur simply because the pedestrian is not visible. While it is fairly easy to see a vehicle approaching, regardless of the conditions, a pedestrian is far smaller and may not attract attention. So, here are a few simple ways you can help to avoid pedestrian accidents at your site.
Dark clothing can make it even more challenging for drivers to see a pedestrian. This can be especially the case on busy sites when there are bright coloured and illuminated vehicles moving around. For this reason, it is a good idea to encourage the wearing of bright clothing. High visibility vests can make pedestrians easily visible and minimise the risk of accidents. It may also be a consideration if you are assessing colour options for a staff uniform. Bolder colours such as reds and yellows will be far more visible for both vehicles and customers.
One of the most common causes of accidents is pedestrians attempting to cross a road, particularly if the driver is not anticipating them. This can be particularly problematic if you need a temporary crosswalk in a parking lot or other area on site. Fortunately, there are lots of options that can allow you to highlight a crosswalk and draw driver’s attention to the possibility of pedestrians on the road. There are inflatable barriers, cones or even crowd barriers that can be used to mark a pedestrian area. While many of these types of barrier will not be able to withstand a vehicle impact, they are bold enough to highlight that drivers need to take additional care in a certain area.
Another common cause of pedestrian accidents involves bikes. It is common for people riding bikes on a shared path to hit a pedestrian or force them to move into an area where vehicles will be passing. However, you can mitigate this risk by dividing a shared path. You can use barriers to create a physical path for each type of traffic or use markings on the path to designate the areas where pedestrians can walk safely.
If you’re looking for a Crowd Control Barrier, contact us here at Image Bollards. We have an extensive range of safety and security equipment available, including crowd barriers. All of our equipment is manufactured to be compliant with Australian safety regulations. Our sales team is standing by to discuss your requirements in greater detail or answer any queries you may have.