Police alert over headphones ‘epidemic’ killing pedestrians
VICTORIA’s top traffic cop has called on pedestrians and cyclists to wear one headphone instead of two after a number of deaths in recent years were linked to their use.
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VICTORIA’s top traffic cop has called on pedestrians and cyclists to wear one headphone, not two, after a number of deaths in recent years were linked to their use.
The Herald Sun can reveal the deaths of 13 pedestrians and cyclists since 2012 have been linked to headphone use.
However, that number could be much higher, as it does not take account of coronial cases yet to be closed or cases where no findings on headphone use were detailed.
DRIVER SELFIES, VIDEO WATCHING FURY
CYCLISTS PUSH FOR DEVICES TO STOP DRIVERS USING PHONES
Assistant Commissioner Doug Fryer said pedestrians and cyclists must be more aware of their surroundings.
On June 11, a cyclist, 61, died after being hit by a garbage truck near Mornington. Police are investigating whether headphones found at the scene were a factor.
Mr Fryer, who is in charge of road policing, said: “Pedestrian distraction has reached epidemic proportions. One only has to walk down the street or drive through the CBD to see pedestrians step on to the road without looking and commuters bump or knock into one another because they have their heads down.
“There is no doubt wearing headphones while riding a bike or walking down the street affects cyclists’ and pedestrians’ auditory, visual and cognitive awareness.”
Mr Fryer said: “Whilst it’s not an offence to wear headphones while cycling, going for a run or walking down the street, Victoria Police would urge that, at the very least, people wear just one.”
A Coroner’s Court spokeswoman said 15 deaths since 2000 had involved cyclists and pedestrians wearing headphones, 13 of them since 2012.
“Of these, nine were pedestrians struck by a vehicle, four involved a pedestrian being struck by a train or tram, and two involved cyclists on the road,” she said.
“The extent to which headphones contributed to the fatal incident in each case is difficult to establish; however, in seven of the findings the investigating coroner commented on the potential contribution of headphones in terms of distraction or inhibiting ability to hear oncoming vehicles.
“In an additional two cases, the police strongly suspected headphones were a factor.”
Mr Fryer urged pedestrians and cyclists to avoid distractions while on or near a road.
“Whether it be listening to music … through headphones, looking at the device the earphones are plugged into, or being distracted … from what is going on around you … (it is) often not acknowledged or recognised how dangerous it truly is,” he said.
“Cyclists and pedestrians are vulnerable road users and little separates them from the road, one another, traffic, and ultimately injury,” he said.
“Pedestrians more than ever before, like all of society, have a desire and thirst for connectivity.
“Sadly, so many people who use handheld technology with headphones just aren’t aware of the potential harm that awaits them … and they don’t think anything will happen to them,” Mr Fryer said
A recent study has shown the biggest distraction for pedestrians is texting. Texting pedestrians took nearly two seconds longer to cross a road and were four times more likely not to look where they were going, disobey traffic lights, or cross the road away from a marked pedestrian crossing.
Samantha Cockfield, lead director for safety at the Transport Accident Commission, said: “Pedestrians and cyclists are some of our most vulnerable road users, and they rely on all their senses to know what’s going on around them.
“When one of these senses is weakened, it restricts their ability to make decisions to protect themselves,” Ms Cockfield said.
JOSEPHINE EDDEN
Died on February 17, 2015, when she tripped and fell and was run over by a truck at the intersection of Spencer and Collins streets.
The 23-year-old cafe manager was walking to work when the accident happened, and pronounced dead at the scene.
“Ms Edden was wearing black clothing and had earphones in her ears connected to a device,” a finding by Coroner Paresa Spanos stated.
“Ms Edden’s death highlights ... the particular challenges to pedestrian safety posed by trucks and heavy vehicles with limited forward visibility.”
CHRISTOPHER CLOUGH
The 26-year-old father of two died after he was hit by a train at Pakenham on April 26, 2012. He was studying to be a personal trainer.
The finding into his death from Coroner K.M.W. Parkinson stated: “The investigator noted a pair of bud-style earphones were connected to an iPhone, which was in Christopher’s right pocket.
“The evidence is that one of the earphones was located in Christopher’s ear.
“I am satisfied that Christopher was unaware of the approaching train as a result of the earphones.”
DEAN WATT
Born in Scotland, the 18-year-old died on June 28, 2012, when he was hit by a train between Carrum and Seaford railway stations.
He was seen walking south on the railway tracks about 11.45pm before he was struck by a southbound train.
Coroner Rosemary Carlin stated that the evidence did not support a finding that Mr Watt was suicidal.
“Police located Dean’s mobile phone and earphones near the track, indicating that he may have been listening to music at the time of the collision and (was) unable to hear the approaching train.”
MOBILES, HEADPHONES DISTRACTING PEDESTRIANS
IT’S Friday afternoon at the city’s busiest pedestrian crossing and a swarm of high-vis vests, school uniforms, and suits is in a hurry to start the weekend.
A Metro announcement booms, a City Circle tram rattles past, alarmed cyclists ding bells, a gothic girl yells profanities at a teen covered in piercings, and a takeaway delivery man revs his motorbike while weaving around a cement truck to beat the red light.
Then, the screech of braking taxi tyres fills the air, along with the tick tick of the pedestrian lights.
Many crossing outside Flinders Street station hear none of the city sounds. With headphones in and eyes glued to their phones, they are here on the busy road — but not quite.
The Herald Sun spent 30 minutes watching the crossing between the station and the Young and Jackson pub on the Swanston St corner on Friday afternoon. In that time, 199 walkers wore headphones while making the dash across.
Alarmingly, 20 of those ran the red light in front of cars while distracted by headphones, 17 of those being young men and teenage boys.
In one particularly bizarre display of distraction, a woman in her 40s wearing earphones stepped into traffic a metre from the kerb to photograph the iconic station clocks.
Another woman sported headphones as she walked with her partner, who chatted beside her without much reply.
In a group of private school girls, two had their headphones in despite making the commute with friends.
Another woman bopping along to music squeezed in front of a taxi in the middle of the intersection, seemingly unaware the lights had turned.
Most of the almost 200 headphone wearers were doubly distracted as they crossed, missing their sense of sight and hearing while staring at their phones.
Point Cook’s Bailey, 19, said he tried not to look down at his phone while walking.
“I have my headphones on when I cross the roads in the city because I love to listen to music,” he said. “I’ve seen some crazy stuff, like taxis bumping people because they’re not aware of what’s going on around them while they’re listening to music, especially near Elizabeth St.”
Friends Ali and Sarah, both 18, were visiting the big smoke from Orbost, in the state’s east, and were shocked by the number of city slickers glued to their phones.
“You can definitely tell people are completely out of it when they’re crossing with their headphones in and their phone out,” Ali said.
Sarah added: “I’ve seen heaps of people do it but I don’t do it personally because I want to see what’s going on around me. I won’t even look at my phone when I’m crossing the road as it’s too dangerous.”
While the majority of those flouting the road rules by crossing on a red were young men, the noticeable trend for pedestrians to run the gauntlet while distracted by music, news or podcasts in their ears wasn’t confined to a particular demographic. And many admitted to taking the risk despite knowing the dangers.
Andrew, 43, from Mulgrave, said he had his headphones in “most of the time” on city streets but kept the volume low to remain aware of his surroundings.
“I am pretty aware of what’s going on around me but could be more aware,” he said. “I’m not someone who uses their phone, as well, so it’s really only my hearing that’s affected.”
While it’s not against the law to walk with headphones in, police know all too well the consequences of distracted walking. And they want pedestrians to take responsibility for road safety as much as drivers.
“Police would urge, at the very least, people to wear just one,” said Victoria Police’s road policing chief Doug Fryer.