A new report, Transforming Mobility, produced by Transport for All and Sustrans, suggests that introducing zebra crossings on side roads will increase safety for disabled people when they’re walking and wheeling.
Introducing zebra crossings on side roads was one of five ‘big ideas’ in the research, called Transforming Mobility.
Transport for All said this about this report;
“We all want to be able to enjoy our local area safely, but as disabled people we’re five times more likely to be injured when we’re walking and wheeling than non-disabled people.
Introducing zebra crossings to side streets helps. Trials in Manchester found that 65% more drivers gave way if there was a zebra crossing.
Giving way to people who are walking and wheeling is already in the highway code. The Government needs to tweak the law around zebra crossings, so they can be used on side roads. This will make things much safer for disabled people, as cars are more likely to stop when we’re crossing the road.
Trials in Manchester found that 65% more drivers give way if there’s a zebra crossing.”
Other ideas in the report include:
- Balancing streets so that some places are focused around cars, but others are suited to walking and wheeling, or cycling
- Reducing parking for people who are not disabled and don’t live locally, so that we can widen pavements and add benches for people to rest on
- Making it easier for people to walk, wheel and cycle to one place where they can to catch buses, trams and trains, and access seating, shelter and accessible toilets whilst waiting
- Paying disabled people to join panels where we can help guide transport policy and make sure disabled people’s requirements are included