Some people's idea of road safety is shocking. Yesterday, I watched a lady try and lead two children (of around five years old) across the traffic lights at Whitehaven Civic Hall when cars were already coming across the junction from Scotch Street, saying to them 'hurry up'. She stopped them quickly but not before the driver had to slow right down to a stop. Too many pedestrians think they are invincible to cars and when you add alcohol on top of that then you have a dangerous combination. Anyone can make a mistake, but we are all in too much of a hurry to get somewhere. Drivers need to slow down and some pedestrians I have seen really need to have more of their wits about them!

where would anyone be walking too along this road, that you can't get to along the old road which is much safer and is lit by street lamps in some parts

The council has a duty to design roads so they are safe for road users, unfortunately it only thinks of vehicles when it does design road layouts, leaving all others feeling vulnerable so they eventually descide they have to use a vehicle and spends loads on fuel rather than being able to use sustainable forms of transport like walking and cycling safely. Time to make fuss and let councillors know we will not vote them in if they continue forcing eveybody into vehicles.

I would't advise a single occupant in a vehicle do this but having been brought up in the area in question I find it sad that no one now seems to be charitable enough to give a stranded pedestrian a lift home.

I often thumbed a lift home as a teenager with little money, no late bus and taxis costing too much. There is the old road through Clifton but as there is little passing traffic now I can understand why people walk on the main road, pity they never thought of a pavement when it was constructed.

@John - Rule 63 is a legacy left over from the 1600s when tracks were built for horses. Unfortunately, the powers that be don't seem to view it that way and contrarily you can get prosecuted for jaywalking.

Except 'M' motorways where pedestrians are banned. But dual carriageways are the same speeds . . .

So, what's the inconsistency between jaywalking and the pedestrian always has the right of way?

Roads were built for cars so common sense says keep off them.

Pedestrians do not have any more rights than any other road user
but it does not mean any other road user can drive without due care and attention. Where you have to use any road without a footpath you should walk facing the oncoming traffic and at night wear clothing which is light or reflective and carry a torch. It also helps if you are not intoxicated and wandering all over the road. It seams to be typical of today's attitude of I'm always right culture. Wise up and stay alive wether you drive, cycle or walk, follow the simple rules of the road.

Think about it - the last thing ANYONE in their right mind would want to do would be to hit a pedestrian at ANY speed.

You don't have to be "speeding" to kill someone - 60mph is the legal speed limit along there. 60mph is quite fast, about 6 times faster than a top sprinter. 60mph may also be percieved to be a little slow given the width of the road. Nice to see some enforcement along that stretch recently.

60mph is fast enough for a drunken walker staggering about all over the place in dark clothing to not be seen until the last second or two, by which time, at 60mph, it may not be possible to effect an avoidance manouevre without endangering yourself.

Obviously I don't mean save yourself or your car at the expense of killing a pedestrian under any circumstances.

While the pedestrian may ALWAYS have right of way, coming accross a pedestrian in or on the road at 60mph on a dark night with no warning isn't good for a pedestrian. Suggesting that the road is shut to traffic is stupid, the road was built to take vehicular traffic and not built with any consideration for pedestrians. People need ot be responsible for their actions, if you want to walk along a road at nigh with no pavement take responsibility and make sure you are visible.

What's happened to common sense??? People need to take responsibility for their own actions. In these unfortunate incidents, these poor people must have been under the influence and stumbled into the road. How have i come to this conclusion? To my knowledge no driver has been prosecuted with death by dangerous driving. If you can't afford a few pounds for a taxi home, you can't afford a nightout.

Do some of you suggest we build footpaths on every A roads in the country?

It does not matter who has right of way or that drivers should not be speeding. If a pedestrian is hit by a car they will be hurt or killed and blaming someone will not help them / families left behind. Everyone, pedestrians and drivers should do everything they can to avoid a crash. Every pedestrian should think about how visible they are in the dark. Young school children are educated about this but adults seem to not take much care.