Pedestrian Accidents in South Australia Over Two Decades

The paper reviews changes in the pattern of pedestrian accidents and pedestrian injuries in South Australia during the two decades from 1960. The data are drawn from two in-depth accident studies, each based on a representative sample of road accidents to which an ambulance was called, conducted in 1963-64 and 1976-77, and the road accident records of the South Australian Police Force. The paper examines the changes which have occurred in the frequency and nature of pedestrian accidents in conjunction with the more widespread use of controlled pedestrian road crossings, and also the marked liberalization of state licensing laws regarding hotel opening hours. Changes in the causes and distribution of injuries of pedestrians are also noted.