According to RAA’s latest pedestrian crash report, this is the most common time for pedestrians to be injured in a vehicle-related incident in South Australia.

Five years of data, from 2012–16, shows there’s an average of 300 casualty crashes involving pedestrians each year across the state.

About a quarter of those were either serious or fatal.

Interestingly, more than a third (37%) of pedestrian crashes in South Australia happen in the four months between May to August.

August was the most common month for such crashes, with an average of 29 casualty crashes each year, while Friday was overwhelmingly the worst day.

The real hotspot occurs between 3–4pm on a Friday; the worst one-hour period across the whole week.

Other peak periods include 3–7pm on weekdays, and late on Friday and Saturday nights.

“These peak periods are obviously times when a lot of people are out and about – just after school, or going out dinner or perhaps a weekend event,” RAA’s Senior Manager of Road Safety Charles Mountain said.

“In winter, there’s the added complication that darker morning and evenings, as well as rainy conditions, can make pedestrians harder to see.

“Motorists need be particularly vigilant and aware of pedestrians at all times, particularly in areas of high activity.”

In Adelaide, about 19% of all injury crashes from 2012–16 involved a pedestrian in some way, and many of these involved children under 18.

Noting this, Mr Mountain added that it was also important for children to be educated on road safety from a young age.

“RAA believes road safety is an important life skill that should be taught from an early age,” he said.

“That’s why RAA’s Street Smart Primary program delivers an interactive, age-appropriate road-safety presentation for primary school students that emphasises pedestrian, passenger and cycling safety.”