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Data obtained from the Queensland Police Service has revealed that 63 alcohol-impaired pedestrians were killed in crashes between 2012 and 2017, prompting auto insurer RACQ to urge Queensland residents to avoid drunk walking.
“In five years, 160 pedestrians were hit and killed by cars, and to learn more than one third of those pedestrians had alcohol in their system is truly saddening,” said Steve Spalding, RACQ’s head of technical and safety policy. “Many people think walking instead of driving will see them safely home, but the reality is, it’s still dangerous.”
Spalding said alcohol could impair a pedestrian’s judgment, balance and coordination – and the risk only gets worse when there’s more alcohol in the blood.
“The more alcohol in the system, the higher a pedestrian’s risk of being involved in a crash,” Spalding said. “It’s the same as what we see in driving, alcohol can affect a person’s ability to make good decisions, slows their reaction time, and impacts their awareness of their surroundings. That means they may not be able to accurately judge the speed of an oncoming car when they step out to cross the road.”
Spalding said Queensland residents should talk to their loved ones about making safe road choices and to plan ahead before consuming alcohol.
“Talk to your loved ones about using taxis, ride-sharing services, and public transport, which is available in most places – and don’t forget you could always arrange a designated driver,” Spalding said. “If you’re walking home, walk with a sober friend, stay on the footpath, and only cross the road at marked crossings or under street lights where you’re clearly visible to motorists. Let’s all take a moment to think about our actions when we’re moving about our roads – so we can all get home safely.”
