Park it in Your Pocket
Be a safer pedestrian
ABOUT
‘Park it in your pocket’ responds to the ingrained phone habits of many young pedestrians. By encouraging pedestrians to “park” their phones in their pocket before stepping into road environments, the campaign aims to reduce incidents involving 17-25 year old pedestrians and increase pedestrian awareness.
The ‘Park it in your pocket’ campaign was the selected Re:act 2024 campaign at Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria, Australia.
TAKING ACTION
Why it matters…
Being aware while crossing the road is crucial for your safety and the safety of those around you. Using your phone while walking or crossing the road exposes you to many risks. Distraction in such situations can be fatal, particularly if a driver is also distracted and ignores traffic signals, pedestrian crossings or speed limits.
Most pedestrian deaths occur at busy intersections without traffic lights and often in speed zones of 60kmh or lower, according to the Transport Accident Commission Victoria. Pedestrians are at high risk, with the likelihood of death or injury increasing significantly if struck by a vehicle travelling above 30kmh. Using your phone while walking increases the likelihood of crossing into oncoming traffic or colliding with other hazards, making pedestrians more vulnerable to crashes.
Tips for pedestrians
Small changes to when you use your phone can significantly reduce your risk of injury and enhance personal and public safety.
Avoid Distractions: Refrain from using your phone and other devices while walking near roads or when crossing. Stay alert to your surroundings and park it in your pocket.
Be Visible: Wear bright or reflective clothing, especially at night or in poor weather conditions, to make yourself more visible to drivers.
Cross at Designated Points: Use marked zebra crossings, footbridges, traffic lights and pedestrian refuges. Avoid crossing between parked cars/large vehicles or at blind spots.
Follow Traffic Signals: Always obey pedestrian traffic signals. Wait for the green signal before crossing and ensure traffic has come to a complete stop.
The Creators
Hi! We’re Charlie, Jaz, Elena, Mia, Jonny, Quynh, and Esmee creators of the selected Re:act 2024 campaign at Swinburne University of Technology in Victoria.
The experience with Re:act has been an amazing opportunity to combine the creative world with making a difference, and helping make our state a safer place. It has opened our eyes to the reality of our roads and how much work goes into keeping them safe for both drivers and those around the roads.
Thank you Re:act for the opportunity to make a difference!