Protecting our young and old
Our goal at Tap and Increase the Gap is to create a safety initiative using
the Senior Step Card system that, like 40km school zones,
improve the safety of pedestrians who are at the greatest risk.
The 40km school zone is a case study that has been closely analysed by us, in our mission to further improve pedestrian safety for vulnerable groups of the community who face the highest risks on the road. Among children, aged adults are one of the most susceptible groups.
The success of the NSW 40km school zones is an indication to us at Tap and Increase the Gap that the Senior Step Card system will work to benefit a group of the community who face increased danger as pedestrians. We believe that with an aged focused safety system reductions in pedestrian casualties, fatalities and injuries will be seen.
The Road and Traffic Authority (RTA) , NSW Police and the Department of Education and Training worked together to introduce 40km school zones. Tap and Increase the Gap hopes to work with these organisations to implement the next stage of NSW road and pedestrian safety measures.
We have used the basis of the school zone initiative to formulate our findings that with specific aged target pedestrian safety measures, the number of casualties decreases over time. Tap and Increase the Gap is the next step in NSW pedestrian safety.
Do you think #TAPANDINCREASETHEGAP could have the same success? Why, why not?
Comment below- Share your thoughts and concerns
TAPandINCREASEtheGAP 
This is a great comparison to make! the 40km school safety zone has been really successfully implemented in all of Sydney’s school districts, though I can imagine opposition to the plan was high when first announced. I think Tap and Increase the Gap could definitely have the same success, since as you mention, it would operate similar to the Opal card system. I think infrastructure changes would obviously be pretty big but there is no cost for saving lives! I’ve heard so much about elderly pedestrian fatalities recently and just read on the NRMA that elderly pedestrians account for 40% of fatalities – this is shocking and needs to be fixed!! Great cause!! xx
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Thank you for your wonderful feedback Elisabeth! We really appreciate it here at Tap and Increase the Gap.
The 40km school zone has been a successful incentive in reducing the number of young pedestrian fatalities since it was introduced, with the last fatality occurring in NSW in 2006. We hope our system will have a similar effect. The number of pedestrian deaths is on the rise in our state already 16 greater than the same time last year. Our seniors are at greater risk and with an ageing population this is of great concern. We are glad that we have your support and encourage you to follow our mission and jump on board #TAPANDINCREASETHEGAP.
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