Media release 10 July 2007

CBD road safety: police the attackers, not the victims

A group advocating safe and peaceful transport has slammed the Brisbane City Council and Queensland Police Force response to accidents involving pedestrians in the Brisbane CBD.

A 15 year old girl was killed by a car on Elizabeth Street on Wednesday June 20 and another person was hit by a car on the corner of Wharf and Eagle Street recently.

The response by the Queensland Police Force has been to fine pedestrians for jaywalking and crossing at red lights.

Brisbane City Council’s Transport Chairperson Graham Quirk has said that warnings will be painted on the road in Eagle Street telling pedestrians to watch for cars.

“The government is punishing the victim, not the attacker,” said Community Action for Sustainable Transport spokesperson Tristan Peach.

“Walking is the safest and most peaceful form of transport, and does no harm, while driving a car is dangerous and violent,” he said.

“Government’s response is entrenching a system where violent modes of transport are given priority over peaceful and safe modes,” he said.

“Pedestrians are sick of waiting minutes at traffic lights while cars speed past and endanger their lives,” he said.

CAST have recommended a range of sensible measures that will reduce accidents and fatalities in the city, while making the CBD a more attractive and comfortable place for people to shop.

“What we need in the CBD are reduced speed limits, more speed and red light cameras, signs warning drivers to give way to pedestrians and increased frequency and length of pedestrian phases at traffic lights,” said Mr Peach.

Specific ideas include motor vehicle slow zones on Elizabeth Street (between George and Wharf Street) and George Street (between Elizabeth and Adelaide Street) where a 20-30km/hr speed limit would be enforced by speed cameras.

Other ideas include longer and more frequent pedestrian phases at traffic lights on the corner of Eagle/Creek/Charlotte, Queen/Edward, Edward/Anne and Elizabeth/Albert.

All construction sites (such as the one on the corner of Elizabeth and Albert) must make full accommodations for pedestrians.

“If we are to make Brisbane a liveable and prosperous city we must put human life before vehicle speeds,” said Mr Peach.