CAMPAIGNERS are calling for three more seconds to be added to the time a green man lights up at pedestrian crossings amid fears the elderly people in particular are being put in danger.
A study has shown that most people over the age of 65 walk much slower than the current assumed walking speed of about four feet per second, but the time given to cross the road has not been revised since the 1950s despite the nation's ageing population.
It comes after road casualty statistics revealed a 33% increase in the number of pedestrians knocked and killed on Scotland's roads in 2012 compared to the previous year. The Scottish Government figures, published in October, showed that 57 pedestrians were killed last year compared to 43 in 2011.
Charity Living Streets is now spearheading a national campaign, Give us Time to Cross, calling for three second extension to the "green man time" at pedestrian crossings to take account of the ageing population.
The campaign follows the findings of a study by University College London (UCL) which found that on average men over the age of 65 walk at a pace of 0.9 metres per second, while for women the rate is 0.8 m/s, meaning they have insufficient time to reach the opposite kerb safely.
Keith Irving, Head of Living Streets Scotland, said: "The evidence suggests that at least 600,000 people in Scotland simply do not have enough time to safely reach the opposite side of the road at pedestrian crossings.
"This does not even account for vulnerable pedestrians with sight impairment or mobility issues, for parents with buggies or small children. People tell us they feel harassed by traffic revving their engines because the green man has started flashing and many avoid going out because they don't feel they can cross the road safely.
"As our population ages, we want to encourage people to be active and live independently for as long as possible. Three seconds isn't a long time, but for an older person it can make the difference between feeling confident they can comfortably access their local shops and services, and feeling vulnerable and afraid to cross the road, which in turn often leads to isolation."
It comes ahead of a review of signal controlled crossings by the Department for Transport next year, which could see the time allocated to cross the road extended in Scotland, England and Wales.
Dr Jennifer Mindell, a senior lecturer in epidemiology and public health at UCL who led the research into walking speed, said: "We found that the amount of time given to pedestrians to cross a road assumes a walking speed that is much too fast for most older people. They have insufficient time to reach the far side, so may decide not to even try.
"The impact on the older population is therefore not just the immediate risk of injury. Feeling that you cannot negotiate the outside world causes psychological distress. It also deters people from even going out, feeling they are unable to cross roads safely."
Pensioner Val Foster, 72, has experienced the problem first-hand. The retired nanny and child minder has arthritis in her spine and recently underwent a knee replacement operation. She lives in sheltered housing and relies on a crossing near her home to reach her local supermarket.
She said: "There simply isn't enough time to get across before the cars start revving their engines and sometimes they honk their horns at you. It's very intimidating and makes you nervous about going out. You have to pluck up courage to get a pint of milk."
A spokesman for Age Scotland, who are supporting the campaign, added: "Being unable to cross roads safely increases the risk of isolation and loneliness for older people, particularly those with a health condition or disability. If successful, this campaign will make a big difference by enabling many more older people to enjoy the social and health benefits of getting out and about in their communities."
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