This video will aggravate some people.
It certainly shocks many of us.
A man holding a baby crosses a major signalised intersection against the red. It is illegal. It is dangerous. No argument there.
But if our response stops at blame or outrage, we miss the opportunity to reduce risk at this location for everyone.
If instead we pause and objectively look at the system, different and more useful questions emerge. Questions that help us understand why this behaviour may have occurred and what could be done to make the intersection safer overall.
Some of the questions worth asking include:
Is this a desire line between key origins and destinations, such as homes, shops, schools, or public transport?
Where are the bus stops and how far do people need to walk to reach them?
How many people currently cross here, and how many are likely to in the future?
How long are pedestrian signal wait times?
Are there times of day with higher pedestrian volumes?
What are the traffic volumes and turning movements through the intersection?
What are the operating speeds of vehicles on each approach?
How many lanes does a person need to cross?
What is the visibility between drivers and pedestrians, including sight distance and obstructions?
What land uses surround the intersection and what activities occur throughout the day?
What are the age, cultural, and mobility characteristics of people using the area?
How does the intersection operate at night, including lighting and visibility?
When a crash happens, how bad is it likely to be?
Are drivers likely to be alert?
Are people distracted by environmental factors (advertising, tourist sights)?
Are there drinking establishments in the area?
What technology exists to detect pedestrians or unusual movements?
What proportion of vehicles are heavy vehicles?
Where is the sun at different times of day and year, and how does glare affect drivers?
…and the list goes on.
Many people assume signalised intersections are inherently safe. Add a pedestrian signal and the problem is solved. That would be true if we had 100% perfect humans, 100% of the time.
We do not.
Supporting safer behaviour will always matter (education, enforcement, encouragement, etc.). But to make significant and sustained reductions in serious harm, we also need to look wider. We need to understand how the system is shaping behaviour, what the crash outcomes are likely to be, and adjust all elements accordingly. We also need to anticipate human failure and manage its consequences.
Less blame.
More learning.
Better systems.
Minimise mistakes.
Manage those that still happen.
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