The Border Watch: March 18, 2009

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

KEEPING THE SOUTH EAST INFORMED SINCE 1861

TV WATCH

$1.00 inc. GST

SPORT

SOCCER SUPERSTARS WANTED

YOUR WEEKLY SEVEN-DAY TV GUIDE LIFTOUT

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MARK RICCIUTO ON HIS WAY TO MOUNT GAMBIER > BACK PAGE

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pRIGHT: There was a constant flow of Guinness and an unusual amount of green in Flanagan’s Irish Pub yesterday as patrons celebrated St Patrick’s Day. While not an official holiday in Australia, it didn’t deter Flanagan’s manager Nick Charlesworth and patron Ron Smaling from celebrating. Picture: BRETT KENNEDY

Save life, not time BY ELLIE TURNER

Email: [email protected]

SAVING your life is more important than saving time. That’s the message in a new campaign against jaywalking. One in three walkers struck by cars are within 30 metres of a pedestrian crossing, according to Motor Accident Commission (MAC) figures, and Mount Gambier is not immune from the risk. The MAC has urged pedestrians to walk the extra distance and cross roads safely.

WEATHER

The advice came one day after a Mount Gambier man was taken to hospital with minor head injuries after being hit by a car on Commercial Street West in the small hours of Sunday morning. Mount Gambier police are investigating the accident, however, no more information was available at press time yesterday. The MAC said five South Australian pedestrians have already suffered vehicle related deaths this year. Corporate affairs manager Ben Tuffnell said many pedestrians would rather risk their safety by running across a road to save

themselves a couple of minutes. “It simply isn’t worth it,” Mr Tuffnell said. “There are more than 500 pedestrian road casualties each year. “This included a dozen deaths last year and almost half a dozen have occurred in the past three months.” About 300 annual personal injury claims are lodged by pedestrians who are involved in road crashes, costing South Australian motorists around $50m. Employees at Mount Gambier businesses near main intersections said it was common to see people crossing the road illegally.

Mount Gambier Today - Fine. Partly cloudy. 25o – full report page 23

KID’S PAGE

Simply Elegant owner Christine Tongue said she saw people running between cars either side of the Commercial Street and Bay Road pedestrian crossing on a regular basis. “I suppose people sometimes think ‘oh I’ll just shoot across there and not worry about waiting for the lights’,” she said. “It gives motorists coming around the corner a bit of a shock.” Mount Gambier police station Sergeant Nick Smith said the main concern was pedestrians near licensed premises. “Wherever alcohol is prominent

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COMICS

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is where people need to be the most careful,” Sgt Smith said. “When someone has consumed alcohol they can become oblivious to common dangers like walking out in front of cars. “Pedestrians need to be conscious of the law; crossing the road through the shortest possible route and using pedestrian crossings where they are available. “Likewise motorists should keep their eyes open for people on foot.” A $39 penalty applies to pedestrians caught crossing a road within 20 metres of a crossing or traffic lights.

CLASSIFIEDS

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Phone 5 Percy Street, Mount Gambier BW490620