Pedestrians are the most vulnerable road users, having the least protection in the event of a vehicle–pedestrian crash. Pedestrian deaths and serious injuries remain major road safety challenges in Australia. Notably, pedestrians account for 13 per cent of all road fatalities, despite travelling shorter distances than other road users. While numerous initiatives have aimed to reduce the national road toll, most have focused on the broader Australian population, with limited attention to the specific needs of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities, including tailored road safety education materials.
Evidence shows that members of CALD communities face a higher risk of crashes in their new country. In response, this project has developed and is now disseminating bilingual pedestrian safety education materials—such as posters and videos—tailored for CALD communities. The Chinese and Nepalese communities are the current focus, selected as case studies due to their size and significance within Australia’s multicultural population. The project is being delivered in partnership with the Chinese Community Council of Australia - Victoria Chapter (CCCAV) and Australia Nepal Public Link (ANPL – Victoria & NSW chapters).
Using a co-design approach, the project has conducted focus group discussions and public forums to create culturally relevant, theory-driven materials that promote safe pedestrian behaviour. An online survey is currently being prepared to assess user perceptions, the materials’ effectiveness, and their influence on attitudes and behavioural intentions.
The educational materials are being made available via a dedicated website and promoted through CCCAV and ANPL networks and social media platforms. Developed using evidence-based behavioural change methods, these resources aim to enhance road safety awareness and practices among Chinese and Nepalese communities, helping to reduce pedestrian injuries. The project also provides a model that can be extended to address road safety needs in other CALD communities across Australia.
