Elderly urged to be careful when crossing over roads

Nov 5 2008 by Robert Mitchell, Wishaw Press

EVERY two days in the west of Scotland, a pedestrian over 60 years of age is killed or injured crossing the road.

And a major campaign to highlight the dangers faced by OAPs crossing the road has been launched by the West of Scotland Road Safety Forum.

Every second day a pensioner pedestrian is killed or injured on roads across the west of Scotland and, as the clocks have now gone back, older people are being advised to take more care when out and about.

The campaign aims to highlight the risks to the 60+ age group and encourage them to use pedestrian crossings as much as possible to reduce the likelihood of being killed or injured while crossing the road.

Chief Inspector Jim Igoe, West Command Road Policing, Strathclyde Police, says: “The campaign will not only reinforce the need for our older pedestrians to take extra care when crossing roads, but also reminds drivers of their responsibility to look out for, and allow extra time for pensioner pedestrians to cross.”

Older pedestrians should follow the following advice to keep safe on the roads – plan your day and avoid busy traffic times; use pedestrian crossing places; cross where you can see clearly; avoid crossing between parked cars if you can; and make sure drivers can see you by wearing something bright.