The number of pedestrians killed and seriously injured (KSI) is rising. In 2012, 69 pedestrians were fatally injured on London’s roads, compared with 58 in 2010. In the same period, the total number of pedestrian KSI’s increased by 23%.
As part of the research for their report into pedestrian safety, the London Assembly Transport Committee crossed the capital’s busiest and most notorious streets, in an effort to experience first-hand the danger pedestrians face daily.
The Committee tested the ‘Green Man’ timings which have been reduced at many intersections.
They also visited some of the collision’ hotspot’ locations, where pedestrians are regularly killed or seriously injured (KSI), wearing ‘simulation spectacles’ from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) – to gain an insight into negotiating the crossings with little or no sight.
- The walk began at Bond Street tube and went to Oxford Circus via New Bond Street and Holles Street junctions (both listed in TfL’s pedestrian collision hotspot list).
- Representatives from the Living Streets campaign group also accompanied the Committee to discuss the key factors contributing to pedestrian danger at these locations.