A Victoria Walks report suggests that at unsignalised intersections drivers should have given way in 42 per cent of crashes involving older pedestrians.

It’s common knowledge that pedestrians have right of way when using a zebra crossing. But it might come as a surprise to motorists that they must give way to those crossing a side street if they plan to turn into it.

While the same rule applies for drivers across all states in Australia, the rule was not one drivers were fully aware of.

The definition of ‘give way’ means avoiding the chance of collision – the rule doesn’t mean pedestrians can come and go as they please. If you as a driver encounter a situation where someone has stepped onto the road before you turn you have to give way. Good advice to drivers is to be extra cautious when making turns and to check for pedestrians as well as cyclists.