Bendigo pedestrians need to take more responsibility according to police

Victoria Police Senior Sergeant Ian Brooks said police analysis suggested that in a majority of cases where a pedestrian had been struck by a car in Bendigo showed pedestrians took some of the fault.

"The fact they have been hit by a car is unfortunate and we know (people) have been seriously injured but most pedestrians who have been struck in Bendigo have shared some of the fault," he said.

"This is not in relation to any isolated case... The analysis is showing clearly that we've got a lot of people being injured, particularly pedestrians, in daylight hours at this time of year.

"We are still in the process of narrowing down (data)...but the first look tells me in about 40 per cent of cases, pedestrians are at fault."

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He highlighted the area south of Alexandra Fountain in High Street as an area where "dangerous crossings" - away from the traffic lights - happened regularly.

"High Street is a busy road right through town, it carries the largest volume of traffic and has things like tourist attractions around it," he said.

Pedestrians are not allowed to cross the road within 20 metres of a pedestrian crossing meaning crossing a road at any point (away from crossings) wasn't illegal.

"People crossing south of the fountain are not technically committing an offence (if they're more than 20 metres from the crossing) but we do not endorse it. Pedestrian crossings give people a bit more safety," he said.

"(On High Street), cars are coming (north) around that blind corner. Cars also accelerate away from the intersection (travelling south). You do question why it happens."

Senior Sergeant Brooks said drivers aren't always to blame.

"When you use of highways and roads, everyone needs to be aware. It's not just the driver's fault. Everyone takes responsibility," he said.

"People might think that's unrealistic but if you're deliberately crossing away from a crossing, over four lanes and tram tracks on an unsafe road, you're putting yourself at risk when you can walk 50 metres up road where it is bit safer. Why expose yourself to further risk as a pedestrian?"

In 2017, the City of Greater Bendigo proposed making the Charing Cross area near the fountain more pedestrian friendly as part of its 50-year-long vision for the region's public spaces.

A concept showed roads could be altered and public space for pedestrians increased.

Regional Roads Victoria continues to work with City of Greater Bendigo on a number of strategies, including the Integrated Transport and Land Use Strategy which aims to strengthen connections and support the needs of community, public transport and freight.

"Safety is our top priority and we're continuously monitoring how the road network is performing for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists," Regional Roads Victoria regional director (northern) Brian Westley said.

"Part of managing 19,000 kilometres of regional roads is balancing mobility, safety and local priorities and we work closely with local councils and communities.

"We'll continue doing our part by creating a safer road network and we need everyone to do their part by paying extra attention, ignoring their phones and obeying safety signage."

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